Europa League Round-up: United scrape through; Ajax survive Lyon fight back

Manchester United scraped into the Europa League final after a 1-1 draw Celta Vigo in their semi-final second-leg at Old Trafford, which was enough for them to book a place in the Europa League final.

United took a 1-0 goal lead into the game and they took an early lead just 17-minutes in when Marouane Fellaini rose to head home Marcus Rashford’s cross.

Iago Aspas had tested Sergio Romero early on, but United looked comfortable for much for the match.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan went close early in the second-half, but Celta pushed for goals late on and they claimed an equaliser with just five-minutes later.

Theo Bongonda crossed for Facundo Roncaglia to level, to give the Spanish side some real hope – knowing a second would sent them through to the final.

Roncaglia and Eric Bailly were then dismissed for each side as a fracas broke out, as Celta pushed on – but United held on to claim the place in the final, which takes place in Stockholm at the end of the month.

United will face Dutch giants Ajax in the final, but it was hard work for them in Lyon – who came so close to taking the match into extra time after a 3-1 win at the Stade de Lyon.

Ajax, who took a 4-1 lead into the second-leg in France, looked to be well on their way to the final when Kasper Dolberg put them ahead after 27-minutes.

Lyon then struck twice on the stroke of half-time with Alexandre Lacazette claiming two goals in just over 80 seconds – first scoring a penalty and the striking from close-range.

Substitute Rachid Ghezzal added a third on 81-minutes, and then extra Lyon hope came when Nick Viergever was sent-off for a second yellow card with five minutes left.

Lyon pushed hard for another goal, that would have resulted in extra-time – but Ajax held on to set-up the final with United.

United have shortened to win and are now just 2/5 to claim a trophy they have never won before, whilst ajax are 7/4.

 

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