Europa League | Manchester United to meet Ajax in final

Europa League | Manchester United to meet Ajax in final

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Manchester United clung on for a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo to edge out the Spanish club 2-1 on aggregate and enter their first Europa League final. Meanwhile, Ajax resisted a strong Lyon comeback in the second leg of their semi-final to advance 5-4 on aggregate despite losing the match 1-3.

Manchester United 1-1 Celta Vigo

United held on to their one-goal lead for their maiden entry into the final. The Reds opened the scoring through Marouane Fellaini in the 17th minute which put the home side 2 goals up on the aggregate. However, Celta Vigo staged a fightback when Facundo Roncaglia fired the ball past David de Gea in the 85th minute.

United's defense took a hit when Eric Bailly was sent off along with Roncgila after a push and shove contest. The Spanish club utilized the advantage and kept pressuring the United goal deep into the stoppage time but a depleted United defense managed to keep them at bay.

The draw took United to their first European final clash since 2011 and Jose Mourinho's hopes of getting into the Champions League stayed intact.

Lyon 3-1 Ajax

Ajax almost squandered their 3-goal lead on aggregate when they were defeated by a resurgent Lyon.  Ajax, who crushed Lyon 4-1 in the home leg, took the lead through 19-year-old Dane Kasper Dolberg in the 27th minute. However, Alexandre Lacazette's brace before half-time fired the hopes of the home side making it to the final.

Lyon carried on the attacking momentum and substitute Rachid Ghezzal's deflected header nine minutes from time made it 3-1. Ajax were reduced to 10 men when Nick Viergever was sent off and this gave Lyon a huge advantage in the final six minutes of the game. However, a young Ajax defence stood their ground resolutely and advanced to their first European final in 21 years.

Ajax will face the Red Devils in the final in Stockholm on May 24.

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