Youssef En-Nesyri scored twice to lead Sevilla to a resounding 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. This victory saw Sevilla advance to the semi-finals 5-2 on aggregate.
Sevilla’s Dominating Performance
The Spanish side, who had the visitors on the back foot from the start, were successful in overturning the deficit they were carrying from the first leg of the tie. Maguire’s mistake in the 7th minute, after a poor pass out by De Gea, led to En-Nesyri’s first goal of the night. The second goal came 76 seconds after the break, courtesy of a Loic Bade’s header. The Red Devils’ European dreams ended in defeat to a Spanish opposition for the sixth consecutive season, a streak that began with Sevilla’s victory over United in the Round of 16 in 2018. This defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow for United, who had knocked out Barcelona and Real Betis to reach this stage.
Sevilla, who are renowned for their high-pressing game and attacking style, lived up to their reputation in the quarter-final. Their aggressive pressing led to United’s first goal, and they continued to create chances throughout the game. Ocampos had a goal disallowed, and En-Nesyri’s second goal of the night came after De Gea failed to clear a high ball. The home fans were in fine voice, and the atmosphere at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium was electric. The Sevilla players fed off the energy of the crowd, and they delivered a performance to remember.
Manchester United’s Inability to Forge a Comeback
United had themselves to blame for their lacklustre performance on the night, having let slip a two-goal lead in the first leg. They were also hit hard by the absence of several key players, including Lisandro Martinez, Rafael Varane and Bruno Fernandes who missed the due to injuries and suspensions.
The Spanish side, who had the visitors on the back foot from the start, were successful in overturning the deficit they were carrying from the first leg of the tie. Maguire’s mistake in the 7th minute, after a poor pass out by De Gea, led to En-Nesyri’s first goal of the night. The second goal came 76 seconds after the break, courtesy of a Loic Bade’s header. The Red Devils’ European dreams ended in defeat to a Spanish opposition for the sixth consecutive season, a streak that began with Sevilla’s victory over United in the Round of 16 in 2018. This defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow for United, who had knocked out Barcelona and Real Betis to reach this stage.
United, looked disjointed and desperate. They failed to create clear-cut chances and their defence looked rattled throughout the game. Even the introduction of Rashford and Shaw in the second half failed to spark a comeback. This defeat will be a wake-up call for United, who have been inconsistent this season. They will need to regroup quickly and focus on their remaining fixtures, including the FA Cup semi-final against Brighton on Sunday.
Sevilla, on the other hand, will be delighted with their performance and will be looking to carry their momentum into the semi-finals. They will be a tough opponent for any team, and their high-pressing game and attacking style will cause problems for even the best defences. Overall, Sevilla’s victory over Manchester United was a statement of intent. They showed that they are a team to be reckoned with in the Europa League, and their fans will be hoping that this is the year that they lift the trophy for the sixth time. As for United, they will need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan to turn their fortunes around.
