Goalkeeper Andre Onana was mostly at fault for two goals on Thursday night in France as a last-gasp equaliser earned Lyon a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg clash.
Also on Thursday night, Super Eagles stars Cyriel Dessers and Leon Balogun helped Rangers to a 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League quarter-final first leg in Glasgow despite the hosts going down to 10 men in the first half.
At Lyon, United went behind after 25 minutes when under-pressure Onana failed to get a strong enough hand to Thiago Almada’s wide free-kick.
Leny Yoro equalised in first-half stoppage time with his first goal for United by reacting quickly to Manuel Ugarte’s volley and diverting the ball into the bottom corner.
The visitors thought they had won late on when substitute Joshua Zirkzee headed home Bruno Fernandes’ looping cross in the 88th minute.
But, with the last play before the final whistle, Onana spilled Georges Mikautadze’s shot and Rayan Cherki tapped in on the rebound.
In the run-up to the match, Onana was labelled “one of the worst keepers” in Manchester United history by Lyon substitute Nemanja Matic, who used to play for the Red Devils.
Matic had been responding to comments by Onana who said his side are “way better” than their French opponents.
Incidentally, while Onana committed the errors, Matic was an unused substitute.
At Ibrox, Nigeria striker Dessers led the Rangers attack for 85 minutes while his compatriot Balogun played the full game as the Scottish side kept a clean sheet despite the 13th minute sending off of defender Robin Propper.
Athletic had a goal disallowed by VAR, while Rangers goalkeeper saved a penalty eight minutes from time.
In London, Tottenham were foiled by a goalkeeping masterclass from Kaua Santos in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, which ended 1-1.
The Brazilian produced a string of inspired saves at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to deny Ange Postecoglou’s home side.
Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike showed why he has caught the attention of several English Premier League clubs when he put the visitors ahead inside six minutes with a superb low strike.
However, Spurs responded well and took control before Pedro Porro equalised with a bold backheel flick.
Tottenham poured forward with intensity after the interval and would have scored had it not been for the woodwork and three big saves from Kaua Santos.
RESULTS
Bodoe/Glimt 2-0 Lazio
Lyon 2-2 Manchester United
Tottenham 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Rangers 0-0 Athletic Club
