Manchester United 4-1 Athletic Bilbao (Aggregate: 7-1)
Match Summary:
In an exciting Europa League semi-final second leg, Manchester United secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford, advancing to the final with an aggregate score of 7-1 after their 3-0 win in the first leg.
Match Highlights:
- 31st minute: Athletic Bilbao took the lead with a brilliant strike from Mikel Urriguesar, who powered the ball into the bottom-left corner past United’s goalkeeper Onana.
- 73rd minute: Mason Mount equalized for Manchester United with a left-footed shot from inside the box, following a perfect pass from Leni Euro.
- 79th minute: Casemiro scored the second for United with a precise header from a Bruno Fernandes cross.
- 85th minute: Rasmus Højlund made it 3-1 after a quick counterattack led by Amad Diallo.
- 90+1 minute: Mason Mount wrapped up the scoring with a stunning left-footed strike, capitalizing on a mistake by Bilbao’s goalkeeper.
Team Performance Analysis:
Manchester United: United showed great attacking power in the second half, with quick movements and solid organization. Substitutes like Mason Mount and Amad Diallo had a positive impact on the game. Their pressing game and well-coordinated counterattacks made the difference.
Athletic Bilbao: Despite a strong start, Bilbao couldn’t maintain their lead, and their defensive performance weakened as the match progressed. They were unable to withstand United’s pressure in the second half.
Star Players:
- Mason Mount: Scored two incredible goals and showed excellent control and precision with his shots.
- Casemiro: Scored a well-taken header and played a pivotal role in midfield.
- Amad Diallo: Contributed to two goals and impressed with his pace and dribbling ability on counterattacks.
Lineups:
Manchester United (3-4-2-1)
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| A. Onana | Goalkeeper |
| V. Lindelöf | Defender |
| H. Maguire | Defender |
| L. Yoro | Defender |
| N. Mazraoui | Midfielder |
| M. Ugarte | Midfielder |
| Casemiro | Midfielder |
| P. Dorgu | Midfielder |
| A. Garnacho | Forward |
| B. Fernandes (c) | Forward |
| R. Højlund | Forward |
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| J. Agirrezabala | Goalkeeper |
| A. Gorosabel | Defender |
| Y. Álvarez (c) | Defender |
| U. Núñez | Defender |
| Y. Berchiche | Defender |
| I. R. d. Galarreta | Midfielder |
| M. Jauregizar | Midfielder |
| Á. Djaló | Midfielder |
| Á. Berenguer | Midfielder |
| U. Gómez | Forward |
| M. Sannadi | Forward |
Substitutions:
Manchester United:
- Luke Shaw (62′ – Out: N. Mazraoui)
- Mason Mount (62′ – Out: M. Ugarte)
- Amad Diallo (63′ – Out: A. Garnacho)
- Harry Amass (81′ – Out: V. Lindelöf)
- Kobbie Mainoo (81′ – Out: Casemiro)
Athletic Club:
- Óscar de Marcos (61′ – Out: A. Gorosabel)
- Beñat Prados (61′ – Out: I. R. d. Galarreta)
- Mikel Vesga (73′ – In: M. Vesga)
- Gorka Guruzeta (67′ – Out: U. Gómez)
Injuries and Suspensions:
Manchester United:
- Diogo Dalot – Out
- Lisandro Martínez – Out
Athletic Club:
- Iñaki Williams – Out
- Nico Williams – Out
Path to the Final:
Manchester United advances to the Europa League final with a 7-1 aggregate victory, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur in an all-English final. The match is expected to be highly competitive, given the form of both teams this season.
For more details, watch the match highlights here:
Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao Highlights