Harry Maguire described Manchester United’s 5-4 win over Lyon as the most bizarre match of his footballing career.
The match at Old Trafford – which secured United’s passage to the Europa League semi-finals 7-6 on aggregate – left even the seasoned centre-back stunned.
The England international netted the decisive goal in the 120th minute, one of two that United scored in the final minute of extra time.
“It was an incredible feeling to score that winner in such an important game, in a game that was full of emotion and the strangest, maddest game I’ve ever played in or witnessed,” he said.
The game entered the record books for another reason – it was the first European fixture to feature five goals during extra time.
United had taken early control at Old Trafford with first-half strikes from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, carrying a comfortable 2-0 lead into the break.
But Lyon came storming back, with Corentin Tolisso reducing the deficit and Nicolas Tagliafico levelling things up soon after. A red card for Tolisso appeared to swing the match back in United’s favour, but it was the French side who struck next.
Wow. What a feeling. YOU REDS!! ❤️ @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/tXOgEazBBu
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) April 17, 2025
Rayan Cherki put Lyon ahead on aggregate during extra time, and Alexandre Lacazette added another from the penalty spot.
“I think they [Lyon] thought they’d won it, the way they were celebrating,” said Maguire. “That gave us more of an incentive to turn the game around.
“I’ve been here six years now and I’ve had some great times and some bad times as well. I think that game pretty much summed up my time at this club, to be honest.”
Looking ahead, Maguire added that while the comeback was remarkable, United must tighten up if they want to lift the trophy.
“I think the worst feeling was that we felt we’d thrown it away, rather than lost the game at that moment, and how we managed to get ourselves into that situation,” he admitted. “Because even going into extra time at 2-2, the momentum was back with us with the sending off, we shouldn’t end up in that situation.
“We’ve got to do far better than that if we want to win this competition – we can’t be doing that and be leaving it to turn it around in that situation.”
