The Road to the 2024/25 Europa League Final | OneFootball

The race to reach the 2024/25 Europa League final continued on Thursday evening, with eight teams vying to make it to the showpiece in Bilbao.

Three of the four first leg fixtures finished all square, while Bodo/Glimt were the only winners after claiming a memorable 2-0 home victory over Lazio.

Fans will be desperate to watch the second game in Rome next week and you can find tickets to Europa League matches at Ticket Compare.

The winners of the four ties will progress to the semi-finals. The first legs will be played on May 1, with the reverse fixtures set for seven days later.

The final will be played at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21. The winners will secure an automatic berth in next season’s Champions League.

Europa League quarter-finals – first leg results

Thursday, April 10

Onana errors leave Man United sweating

Goalkeeper Andre Onana was at fault for two goals as Manchester United were held 2-2 by Ligue 1 side Lyon in France.

Onana should have saved Thiago Almada’s free-kick, which put Lyon ahead. His failure to hold Georges Mikautadze’s shot also allowed Rayan Cherki to equalise in stoppage time.

Between those efforts, goals by Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee put United 2-1 in front and seemingly in control of the quarter-final tie.

The Red Devils are the favourites to progress to the last four but will need Onana to avoid making similar errors at Old Trafford.

Ten-man Rangers dug deep to hold Athletic Bilbao to a goalless draw at Ibrox, with Liam Kelly’s late penalty save keeping them in the tie.

Robin Propper’s dismissal in the 13th minute made life difficult for the Scottish Premiership side, but they showed plenty of character to keep Athletic at bay.

Maroan Sannadi caused endless problems for Rangers until he was substituted, and he will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture.

Rangers have produced some remarkable results on the road in the Europa League this season, but the test in Bilbao could be a bridge too far.

Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of progressing to the semi-finals were dealt a blow as they were held 1-1 by Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in London.

Goalkeeper Kaua Santos made a series of excellent saves to leave Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou shaking his head in disbelief.

Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike demonstrated why he has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs after putting the visitors ahead in the sixth minute.

Pedro Porro equalised with a backheel flick, but Tottenham were unable to add to their tally. They face an uphill battle to keep their Europe League hopes alive.

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt stunned Seria A side Lazio with a deserved 2-0 home victory in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Ulrik Saltnes scored twice for the home team and probably should have had a hat-trick when through on goal in the 83rd minute. Lazio goalie Christos Mandos made a fine save.

Bodo/Glimt are competing in the quarter-final of a major European competition for just the second time and are in pole position to make it through to the last four.

However, an early goal for Lazio in the reverse fixture would change the complexion of the tie and they will believe they can turn things around.

Europa League quarter-finals – second leg fixtures

Thursday, April 17

The winners of the Manchester United versus Lyon tie will face either Athletic or Rangers in the semi-finals. United and Athletic are the favourites to progress.

Home advantage gives Eintracht a useful edge over Tottenham in their quarter-final tie. The winners will face either Lazio or Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals.

Athletic are now the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy when the final is staged in their home stadium on May 21.