May 2 – An all-English UEFA Europa League final looks increasingly likely after dominant first-leg displays by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their respective semifinals against Athletic Club and Bodø/Glimt.
In Spain, at the Estadio San Mamés, United rode their luck in the opening 30 minutes as Bilbao piled on the pressure with the help of a fervent home crowd.
Iñaki Williams missed a golden opportunity, heading over the bar when it seemed easier to score. The much-maligned United goalkeeper, André Onana, produced a great save from Álex Berenguer, who then had another goal-bound effort deflected wide by Victor Lindelöf.
United had few answers to the questions posed by the Basques, until Harry Maguire, the unlikely hero from the quarterfinals, delivered a piece of wing play that any wide man would be proud of. In the 30th minute, with dazzling footwork for a man of his size, Maguire left Mikel Jauregizar floundering and delivered a cross that Manuel Ugarte flicked to the back post, where Casemiro gleefully headed home.
Just five minutes later, United doubled their lead and Bilbao were reduced to 10 men as Dani Vivian pulled back Rasmus Højlund. Norwegian referee Espen Eskås was summoned to the monitor by VAR, pointed to the spot, and brandished a red card. Up stepped United captain Bruno Fernandes, calmly rolling the ball past Julen Agirrezabala.
With the home side in total disarray, Fernandes added a third on the stroke of halftime after a brilliant defense-splitting pass from Ugarte. The 3–0 lead has likely booked United’s return trip to Bilbao for the final. As inconsistent as they’ve been this season, surrendering such an advantage seems unthinkable.
Post-match, United boss Rúben Amorim was all smiles.
“The result is really good… we have to understand also that we struggled a lot… then the goal from Casemiro and the sending off changed the game. We had a little bit of luck that managed to keep us in the game… then any game can change with one situation. We had opportunities to score one more. This is not done — they can do the same thing at Old Trafford. They are really strong, really intense. One sending-off can happen in our stadium, so we need to be prepared,” said Amorim.
“Harry Maguire is a good winger [laughs]… sometimes there are moments in life. Harry had difficult moments. Now everything he does is good for the team, and we have to enjoy it. We are in the advantage and we have our fans… but anything can happen. We are confident.”
Over in London, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was rocking – and Spurs took full advantage after just 40 seconds, when Brennan Johnson headed home following excellent work from Richarlison.
In the 34th minute, James Maddison produced a velvety first touch to bring down Pedro Porro’s outstanding long ball, before scuffing a shot that confounded three Bodø/Glimt defenders.
Spurs fans were surely expecting more of the same after the break, but the second half proved more challenging. Tottenham struggled to impose themselves, and were perhaps fortunate when Sjvold Fredrik clipped Cristian Romero in the box.
Referee José María Sánchez missed the contact, but VAR intervened, and after a review, a penalty was awarded. Dominic Solanke stepped up and converted, giving Spurs a commanding 3-0 lead.
However, a touch of ‘Spursy-ness’ crept in late. Ulrik Saltnes’s deflected shot left Guglielmo Vicario stranded, giving Bodø/Glimt a lifeline for the return leg.
Understandably, Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou was quietly confident.
“In terms of performance, I couldn’t ask any more of the lads. We were dominant, really well organized defensively, and always a threat going forward. I don’t think the scoreline reflects our dominance, but at the end of the day, you want to end the first leg in a good position — and we’ve done that.”
The second legs are set for next Thursday, and both clubs will be eyeing not only a place in the final but also a potential route into next season’s UEFA Champions League. It would mark the first all-English European final since Chelsea and Manchester City met in the UEFA Champions League final in 2021.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1747970380labto1747970380ofdlr1747970380owedi1747970380sni@o1747970380fni1747970380