Manchester United Defeat Athletic Bilbao To Progress To UEFA Europa League Final

 

Mason Mount scored two goals as Manchester United routed Athletic Bilbao to reach the UEFA Europa League final

Manchester United put on a stunning display, thrashing Athletic Bilbao (City) 4-1 in the Europa League semi-final second leg, which means they advance to the final with a commanding 7-1 aggregate score.

United came into the game with a three-goal lead advantage from the first leg, which had set Athletic back. Reaching the final was crucial for the Red Devils, giving them their only hope of a silverware this season and the chance to get a UEFA Champions League qualification should they win the trophy.  

 The match was exciting, especially when Athletic Bilbao took an early lead from Mikel Jauregizar's incredible long-range shot in the 31st minute. But the second half belonged to Manchester United, who responded with four unanswered goals to secure their place in the final.

Jauregizar's goal was a beauty, finding the top-right corner even though Andre Onana managed to get a hand on it. United had a chance to equalize before halftime, but Alejandro Garnacho missed a golden opportunity, shooting wide with just the keeper to beat.

The tide turned dramatically for Manchester United in the second half. Mason Mount netted his first goal since March last year, leveling the score and shifting the momentum in his team's favor. Then Casemiro put United ahead with a well-placed header from Bruno Fernandes' free-kick, and Rasmus Hojlund scored the third before Mount capped the victory with the fourth in injury time. 

The victory advanced United to the final, which would be their first since 2020/21 when they won the trophy for the first time under former manager Erik ten Hag. In the final, United will meet their Premier League counterparts, Tottenham Hotspur, at Estadio de San Mames on 21 May 2025.