Manchester United Eliminate Athletic Bilbao and Set Up an All-English Final
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have set up an all-English UEFA Europa League final after both teams secured home victories in the second legs of the semi-finals — United sweeping aside Spain’s Athletic Bilbao 4-1 (after winning the first leg 3-0), and Tottenham beating Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt 2-0 (having won the first leg 3-1).
Despite Bilbao taking the lead through Mikel Jauregizar (31’), United roared back in the second half with four goals courtesy of substitute Mason Mount (71’, 90+1’), Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (79’), and Danish striker Rasmus Højlund (85’).
What made the defeat even more painful for Bilbao is that the final will be played at their own San Mamés Stadium on May 21. This marks only the second time in history that two English teams will contest a Europa League final, after Chelsea defeated Arsenal in 2019. It will be the third such final overall if counting the competition under its former name — the UEFA Cup — when Tottenham lifted the trophy against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1972, and again in 1984 (they lost the 1974 final to Feyenoord). Manchester United previously won the title in 2017.
It could be said that Manchester United somewhat salvaged their season by reaching the final, after suffering 16 defeats in the Premier League — more than in any other campaign in the club’s top-flight history over the past 35 years — which left them in 15th place.
Tottenham haven’t had a better time of it this season either, with 19 defeats in 35 matches. However, they managed to beat United in all three encountery this season: 3-0 and 1-0 in the league, and 4-3 in the EFL Cup.
Goals of the Two Matches
In the first match, Bilbao took the lead after a poor clearance from defender Harry Maguire. The ball reached Álvaro Djaló, who struck it powerfully; it deflected off the back of Frenchman Leny Yoro and fell again to Jauregizar, who sent a brilliant shot into the far corner past Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana (31’).
With Mount coming on in the second half, he brought United level after receiving the ball from Yoro, controlling it, turning, and curling it into the net with his right foot (71’). Casemiro then gave the Red Devils the lead after a free kick from captain Bruno Fernandes, which he headed home (79’).
United added a third through Højlund after a slick team move saw the ball reach the Dane, who finished easily into the empty net — his sixth goal of the competition (85’). Mount completed the scoring, capitalizing on a horrific mistake by goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala during a clearance; Mount fired in from 35 meters out (90+1’).
As for Spurs, they ended the dream run of their lesser-known Norwegian opponents with goals from Dominic Solanke (63’) and Spaniard Pedro Porro (69’).
Tottenham’s opener came from a corner kick, with Argentine captain Cristian Romero rising high and heading the ball to Solanke, who fired it in from close range (63’). Porro added the second with a shot that appeared to be a cross, but it fooled the keeper and nestled into the far corner (69’).
