Manchester United stunned Athletic Club with a dominant display in Bilbao to win 3-0. Tottenham Hotspur also boosted their hopes of reaching the Europa League final with a 3-1 victory over Bodø/Glimt.
The UEFA Europa League semi-finals delivered drama and crucial first-leg victories. While both Premier League clubs have endured rough domestic campaigns, Europe provided much-needed relief.
Manchester United Takes Commanding Lead in Bilbao
Manchester United (2.04) produced one of their best performances of the season to secure a 3-0 win over Athletic Club (3.60). The victory puts them in complete control of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. With the return leg at Old Trafford, United are favourites to reach the final.
In front of a noisy San Mamés crowd, United took the lead through Casemiro’s back-post finish on the half-hour mark. Just five minutes later, the game changed dramatically. Dani Vivian was shown a red card for fouling Rasmus Højlund in the penalty area, and Bruno Fernandes calmly converted the spot-kick.
Fernandes then added a third goal before the break. The captain ran through to finish clinically and silence the home crowd. The Man United fans in the top tier celebrated wildly as their team effectively put the tie to bed before half-time.
Athletic struggled to respond with ten men in the second half. Despite their motivation to reach a final at their home ground on 21 May, they failed to create any real danger after the break. United, on the other hand, managed the game professionally and could even have added a fourth when Casemiro hit the post with a header.
The contrast between United’s European and Premier League form is stark. They remain unbeaten in the Europa League and have scored more goals in this competition in 2025 than in the league this calendar year. Under coach Ruben Amorim, their European campaign has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season.
The statistics underline how significant this result is. All 133 teams that have previously won the first leg of a UEFA Cup or Europa League knockout tie by three or more goals away from home have advanced. United will be confident they can add to that perfect record.
Tottenham Boost Final Hopes With Victory Over Bodø/Glimt
Tottenham Hotspur also enjoyed European success, beating Bodø/Glimt 3-1 in north London. The win gave them a two-goal cushion heading into next week’s second leg in Norway. However, a late goal for the visitors added some tension to the tie.
Spurs got off to a dream start when Brennan Johnson headed home after just 37 seconds. James Maddison added a second before half-time with a clever finish after excellent build-up play from Pedro Porro. Dominic Solanke made it 3-0 in the second half from the penalty spot, and it looked like the tie was done and dusted.
There was a late twist. Ulrik Saltnes scored a deflected goal in the 78th minute to give Bodø/Glimt hope ahead of the return leg. The Norwegian side became the first team from their country to reach a European semi-final, and they will take confidence into the second leg on their artificial pitch.
The game was not without concern for Tottenham. Both Maddison and Solanke were forced off with injuries, casting doubt on their availability for the return fixture. Manager Ange Postecoglou now faces a selection dilemma, especially as his side sit just above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Despite domestic struggles, Tottenham’s European journey has reignited hope. A place in the Europa League final in Bilbao remains within reach. The team showed attacking intent and purpose that has often been lacking in domestic matches.
Postecoglou has faced criticism for his side’s league position, with many mocking his previous claims about winning trophies in his second season. However, a strong Europa League campaign could yet deliver silverware and silence the doubters.
Conclusion: Europa League Success Offers Relief From Domestic Woes
Both Manchester United and Tottenham have suffered difficult seasons in the Premier League. Their Europa League performances, however, provide a different narrative. Each club showed a clinical edge and tactical discipline that has often been absent in league play.
For Manchester United, the Europa League has become a safe haven. They continue to impress under pressure in Europe, despite domestic chaos. Tottenham, likewise, have used the competition to restore belief, even as their manager’s future remains uncertain.
With the second legs still to come, both sides will look to complete the job. Reaching the final would offer not just a shot at silverware, but also a boost in morale. It could even impact areas such as online sports betting, where punters often shift focus based on form and momentum.
The results also underline the importance of European competitions for clubs struggling in their domestic leagues. For United and Spurs, the Europa League may prove to be the highlight of their 2024–25 seasons.
