Reuters | October 04, 2024
Budapest: Harry Maguire’s last-minute header salvaged a thrilling 3-3 draw for Manchester United against FC Porto in their Europa League group stage match on Thursday. The match, held at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, saw Manchester United initially take a 2-0 lead before conceding three goals and having captain Bruno Fernandes sent off.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United in the seventh minute, followed by Rasmus Hojlund’s goal to make it 2-0. However, Porto quickly responded with a header from Pepe, and Samu Omorodion equalized before halftime. Omorodion then put Porto ahead with a close-range strike five minutes into the second half. Maguire, coming on as a late substitute, headed in the equalizer during stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros. Pape Sarr gave Spurs the lead in the 23rd minute with a precise right-foot shot. Substitute Brennan Johnson doubled the advantage with a left-foot strike four minutes from time. Ferencvaros managed a consolation goal in stoppage time through Varga, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Spurs from claiming victory in their first encounter with Hungarian opponents.
In other Europa League action, Anderlecht overturned an early deficit to win 2-1 against Real Sociedad. Pablo Marin initially put Sociedad ahead, but goals from Luis Vazquez and Theo Leoni secured the win for the Belgian side. The match saw a brief halt as visiting Anderlecht fans threw objects onto the pitch, resulting in two arrests.
Lazio celebrated a convincing 4-1 home victory over Nice in Rome, with Taty Castellanos scoring twice on his 26th birthday. Pedro Rodriguez and a penalty from Mattia Zaccagni rounded out the scoring for Lazio.
Ajax Amsterdam was held to a 1-1 draw by Slavia Prague. Branco van den Boomen scored an early penalty for Ajax, with Tomas Chory equalizing for the hosts in the second half. Ajax’s Youri Baas received a red card in the closing stages.
Olympique Lyonnais dominated Scottish side Rangers with a 4-1 win in Glasgow, thanks to two goals each from Malick Fofana and Alexandre Lacazette.
In a surprising upset, Swedish club IF Elfsborg secured a 1-0 victory over AS Roma. Tommaso Baldanzi’s handball led to a penalty, which captain Michael Baidoo converted late in the first half.
Athletic Bilbao triumphed 2-0 over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, with Inaki Williams scoring from a superb cross by his brother Nico, and Oihan Sancet adding a second goal four minutes from time.
