Manchester United took a giant step toward the UEFA Europa League final with a ruthless display at San Mamés, overwhelming Athletic Bilbao in a semi-final first-leg encounter defined by a frenetic end to the first half.
The home side began brightly, with Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer threatening early on as Bilbao pressed high and pushed United onto the back foot. However, the tide turned decisively on 36 minutes when Casemiro rose highest to nod in the opener, silencing the Basque crowd and flipping the momentum.
Just minutes later, VAR intervened to dramatically shift the course of the tie. After a lengthy review, the referee not only awarded United a penalty for handball but also sent off Dani Vivian for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick with calm authority, doubling United’s lead and leaving the hosts stunned.
Before Athletic could regroup, United struck again. A smart flick from Manuel Ugarte released Fernandes, who surged through the heart of the defence and clinically slotted home his second of the night. In a span of fewer than 10 minutes, United had completely transformed the match.
Reduced to ten men and reeling from the triple blow, Bilbao offered little resistance in the second half, although goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala did well to keep the scoreline respectable. United finished the night with an expected goals figure of 2.58 compared to Athletic’s 0.98, highlighting their sharpness and control after the break.
Historically, teams winning the first leg of a UEFA Cup or Europa League knockout tie by three or more goals away from home have progressed in all 133 previous instances. With that precedent and their form—having now scored multiple goals in 10 different Europa League matches this season—Manchester United are firmly in the driver’s seat.
Their first-half blitz marked the club’s biggest half-time lead in a European away fixture since 1966 and their most dominant away performance in a semi-final of major European competition. The result not only reinforces United’s status as the tournament’s top scorers (31 goals), but also fuels dreams of an all-Premier League final, with Tottenham also in pole position after their own first-leg win.
Before the return leg at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag’s side turn their attention to domestic matters, while Athletic Bilbao, reeling from their heaviest home defeat since 2018, face a crucial derby clash against Real Sociedad.
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