Algerian-born Rayan Cherki saved his French team, Lyon, from defeat against their home side, Manchester United, by scoring a 2-2 equaliser in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw by their home side, Eintracht Frankfurt, while Bodo Glimt of Norway surprised their home side, Lazio, with a 2-0 victory.
In the first match, Lyon opened the scoring through Argentine Thiago Almada (26), and Frenchman Lenny Euro equalised for United (45+5). Substitute Joshua Zirkse then scored the opening goal for United (88), saving Cherki from defeat (90+5).
United will host the French team at Old Trafford on April 17 in the second leg.
In the first meeting between the two teams since their 2008 Champions League last-16 second leg, which United won, the Red Devils drew 1-1, just as they did at Real Sociedad in the first leg of the last-16 tie before winning 4-1 in the return leg.
Ruben Amorim's team has been unable to return to winning ways, following a draw against city rivals Manchester City and a loss to Nottingham Forest in the league.
United, who are 13th in the league, are trying to salvage their season through the Europa League, their only chance of returning to European competition next year. Failure to do so would also result in catastrophic financial losses.
United will face a daunting task on Sunday against Newcastle United in the league before hosting Lyon, who have not lost in Europe since their defeat to Besiktas in the third round of the unified group stage.
The decisive goal in Germany
In London, Spaniard Pedro Porro scored the equaliser (26) for Tottenham against Frankfurt, who had taken the lead through French striker Ugo Ekitike (6).
The decisive goal was postponed to the second leg in Germany, which will be the sixth meeting between the two clubs in history.
The two teams have met four times since 1982, noting that their last encounter before this evening was in the group stage of the 2022-2023 Champions League, when Tottenham won 3-2 at home after a goalless draw in Germany.
Tottenham Hotspur's Australian coach, Ange Postecoglou, who has been under heavy criticism for his team's performance, failed to allay concerns about his team, which must now return from the second leg in Germany on the 17th of this month with a win to maintain its hopes of winning the club's first title since the 2008 Cup.
Frankfurt took the lead early through Ekitike, who cut inside on the left flank and advanced into the middle before unleashing a powerful low shot that surprised everyone and beat Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (6). This was his fourth goal, along with three assists, in 11 Europa League matches.
Ekitike also scored his 20th goal in all competitions, including 13 in the Bundesliga this season, making up for the loss of Egyptian Omar Marmoush to Manchester City.
Tottenham equalized thanks to defender Boro, who poked James Maddison's pass past Brazilian goalkeeper Caio Santos with his left heel (26).
A brace for Saltens
Midfielder Ulrik Saltens was the star of Bodø Glimt's victory over visiting Lazio, scoring the winning goals in the 47th and 69th minutes.
Bodo Glimt emerged victorious in their first-ever meeting with Lazio in European competition. The Norwegian team had won their three previous home matches against Italian clubs, defeating Sampdoria in the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup and Roma twice in the 2021-22 Conference League season, both in the group stage and quarterfinals.
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