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UEFA Europa League: Late drama ensures Man United win, Spurs survive Hoffenheim scare

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UEFA Europa League: Late drama ensures Man United win, Spurs survive Hoffenheim scare
UEFA Europa League: Late drama ensures Man United win, Spurs survive Hoffenheim scare

New Delhi: The penultimate Matchday of the UEFA Europa League concluded in thrilling fashion last night as the qualification scenarios become clearer for all teams involved. Manchester United clinched a thrilling win at home at the death while Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham scrapped past Hoffenheim in Germany as they almost blew away a two goal lead. Both English club’s find respite in Europe after troubling domestic campaigns.

Elsewhere, Lazio continue their impressive European campaign as a commanding win over Real Sociedad sees them top the UEFA Europa League table with a three point lead over second placed Eintracht Frankfurt. Both United and Spurs find themselves in the top eight as well with the Red Devils sitting in fourth and Spurs occupying the sixth spot. The biggest shock of the round was provided by Latvian side FK RFS who gained their first win of the season by defeating Ajax. Let’s dive in to find out more about matchday seven!

Manchester United 2-1 Rangers

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time winner to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory against Rangers. Fernandes connected with Lisandro Martinez’s angled cross and slotted a first-time shot through the legs of Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, sending Old Trafford into raptures. Rangers thought they had earned a late draw when Cyriel Dessers smashed a brilliant equalizer in the 88th minute, but Fernandes’ heroics cut their celebrations short. Earlier in the game, United took the lead through an unusual own goal when Butland punched Christian Eriksen’s corner into his net.

The win lifts United to fourth in their group, with automatic qualification into the last 16 achievable if they beat FCSB away in their final game. Rangers, however, face an uphill battle, needing a win at home against Union Saint-Gilloise and favorable results elsewhere to secure a top-eight spot. Both teams played out a thrilling second half which is sure to have the Old Trafford faithful buzzing after difficult campaign for Ruben Amorim’s side. The Portuguese would be hoping for a deep run in the tournament following a successful league stage campaign.

Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham

Son Heung-min’s brace powered Tottenham Hotspur to a much-needed 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim, easing the pressure on the struggling Premier League side. James Maddison opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a clinical finish after a smart assist from Pedro Porro. Son doubled the lead midway through the first half, with his deflected strike looping past the Hoffenheim goalkeeper. Spurs held a comfortable two goal lead at halftime which looked like this would be a routine win for the Lilywhites but the Bundesliga outfit had plans of their own.

Hoffenheim fought back after halftime, and Anton Stach scored in the 68th minute to keep the hosts in the contest.  However, Spurs’ talisman, Son doubled his tally with a sublime strike into the far corner in the 77th minute which ultimately proved decisive as David Mokwa scored another for Hoffenheim two minutes from time to ensure a nervy end to the game. The win moves Spurs to sixth in their group, and a victory against Elfsborg in their final game would likely secure automatic passage to the knockout stage as Hoffenheim stare at the face of elimination as they sit outside the top 24.

Other Results

It was a contrasting night for the two Rome-based clubs as Lazio sealed a comfortable 3-1 win over Real Sociedad to maintain top spot in the standings but AS Roma’s troubling season continued with a 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar. Roma are desperately hanging on to a place in the playoff round and need to win their final game to ensure that. Greek side Olympiacos produced a shock 1-0 win over FC Porto which leaves the Portuguese giants outside the top 24 following the penultimate matchday of the tournament.

Eintracht Frankfurt are close behind Lazio in the table and maintained their charge with an easy 2-0 win over Hungarian side Ferencvárosi. Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce played out a 0-0 draw with Olympique Lyon to boost their chances of a playoff spot as they occupy the 23rd spot in the table, just ahead of Turkish rivals Besiktas, who moved to 24th following former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s debut win earlier in matchday seven. Ole’s side beat Spanish giants comfortably with a 4-1 thrashing at home.

 Both Manchester United and Tottenham have all but sealed automatic qualification to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League following thrilling wins for both teams last night. Dive in to find out more about the resutls!  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today

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