CNN
 — 

Moments from the end of extra time, Manchester United’s Europa League campaign seemed dead and buried against Lyon.

It looked like this was going to be another low point in United’s dismal season: 14th in the Premier League table and now about to exit Europe’s second-tier competition having thrown away a two-goal lead in the quarterfinal.

But from the clutches of defeat, the beleaguered home side somehow rescued an astonishing victory, scoring three times in the final six minutes of extra time to claim a 7-6 aggregate win.

United now faces Spanish team Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semifinals, a chance for silverware still very much alive and kicking.

“I said in commentary, it’s going to take more than a miracle to get back in it,” said former United defender and TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand. “Now, I’m actually a believer because that was outrageous.”

After the first leg in Lyon had ended 2-2 last week, United took a commanding lead in Thursday’s return fixture thanks to first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot. In between those strikes, Bruno Fernandes almost scored a spectacular volley from Dalot’s long pass, his shot thumping off the crossbar.

Everything appeared to be playing into United’s hands as the match wore on, but with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, Corentin Tolisso’s header hauled Lyon back into the contest. That was soon followed by Nicolás Tagliafico’s equalizer, which saw United’s lead evaporate in the space of six minutes.

With extra time looming, Lyon’s chances of progressing were dented when Tolisso was sent off for a second yellow card, but that did little to quell the French side’s ambition.

Rayan Cherki’s strike from the edge of the area in the 104th minute gave the 10 men an advantage before Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty early in the second half of extra time added a fourth goal for Lyon without response from United.

Cue one of the most memorable comebacks in European football. Fernandes’ penalty made it 4-3 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, while Kobbie Mainoo’s neat finish in the 120th minute sparked pandemonium inside Old Trafford.

The United fans inside the stadium – those who hadn’t given up hope and headed for an early exit – would have been overjoyed to see the game go to penalties. But the comeback wasn’t finished there. Up stepped Harry Maguire – the central defender being deployed as a makeshift striker – to head the ball into the net in the first minute of stoppage time, an unlikely hero for an improbable victory.

According to Opta, United is the first team to score two goals in the 120th minute of a major European match, which also marked the first time that five goals have been scored in extra time.

“I think that is why we like this sport so much,” United manager Ruben Amorim told reporters. “All the frustration that a coach has in this season, the bad moments – when you have moments like this, it is all worth it.”

Defender Leny Yoro, meanwhile, told TNT Sports that he “(couldn’t) understand what happened,” adding: “We gave everything and thanks to God we won this game … That was crazy.”

United will travel to northern Spain for the first semifinal leg against Athletic Bilbao on May 1, while Premier League rival Tottenham, which defeated Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 on Thursday, will host Bodø/Glimt – the surprise package of this season’s Europa League – in the other semifinal.

The Norwegian champion entered its quarterfinal tie against Italian side Lazio as a heavy underdog, but was well-placed to reach the final four after a 2-0 win at home in last week’s first leg.

CNN
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The Los Angeles Rams are honoring Southern California firefighters as they take their draft headquarters on the road this year.

The team will conduct their 2025 NFL draft operations from Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Air Operations, honoring first responders following the wildfires that swept across the Los Angeles area earlier this year.

LAFD’s Air Operations plays a vital role in emergency response efforts, particularly in combating wildfires across the Los Angeles region, according to the team.

The devastating wildfires swept through the city earlier this year, displacing tens of thousands of residents in the Pacific Palisades area and testing the city’s emergency response systems. The Palisades and Eaton wildfires – the most destructive in recent years – left 29 people dead and scorched nearly 60,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

With the help of Zillow, the Rams and LAFD will alter a room within LAFD Air Operations to serve as general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay’s draft headquarters. A separate hangar will be used as a space for coaches, scouts, team personnel and media.

Touching down at this year’s home base. @Zillow Draft HQ coming soon… 🚁 pic.twitter.com/5l1VihBFTf

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 17, 2025

“Drafting from LAFD Air Operations is a powerful reminder of what it means to represent Los Angeles,” Rams president Demoff said in a statement. “Since the wildfires devastated our region in January, we have looked to bring LA Together to help with the recovery efforts, raise the spirits of those impacted, and shine a light on our first responders. We are humbled to partner with LAFD during one of the NFL’s biggest moments to express gratitude for those who risk their lives daily to protect our city.”

Per the team, LAFD Air Operations will be fully operational during the draft.

The Rams have donated nearly $2 million to fire relief efforts, according to the team.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Los Angeles Rams for their unwavering support of the Los Angeles City Fire Department and our wildfire-impacted communities,” interim fire chief Ronnie Villanueva said.

“Hosting the NFL Draft at LAFD Air Operations highlights the critical role our Air Operations plays in protecting Los Angeles, especially during wildfire season. The Rams’ generosity—renovating our station and recognizing our firefighters—demonstrates a deep commitment to the city we all serve. We look forward to standing alongside the Rams in this meaningful event.”

The draft is scheduled to take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

New York
AP
 — 

The NHL said the New York Rangers informed the league last year they were looking into sexual assault allegations by a team employee against player Artemi Panarin after a report detailing the situation and settlement payments made to the woman surfaced Thursday.

“The club retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation, which the league was fully apprised of,” the NHL said in a statement. “We consider the matter closed.”

The Athletic reported that Panarin and Madison Square Garden Sports, which owns the Rangers, paid financial settlements to a former employee last year after she alleged Panarin sexually assaulted her.

A spokesperson for MSG said in an emailed statement, “The matter has been resolved.”

A message sent to Panarin’s agent was not immediately returned. Coach Peter Laviolette referred to MSG’s statement when asked by reporters at the Rangers’ morning skate before their season finale.

Panarin, a 33-year-old winger from Russia, was New York’s leading scorer again this season and is wrapping up the sixth season of a seven-year, $81.5 million contract signed in 2019.