Thursday round-up: how the last four qualified

Three of the four UEFA Europa League quarter-finals went to extra time – and one all the way to penalties – on a dramatic night of action on Thursday. Ajax, Celta, Lyon and Manchester United made it through to the semi-final draw, which will be streamed live on UEFA.com from 13:00CET on Friday.

Thursday night’s results (more details below; click for highlights)
Beşiktaş 2-1 Lyon (agg: 3-3, Lyon win 7-6 on penalties)
Genk 1-1 Celta (agg: 3-4)
Manchester United 2-1 Anderlecht (aet, agg: 3-2)
Schalke 3-2 Ajax (aet, agg: 3-4)

Beşiktaş 2-1 Lyon (Talisca 27 58; Lacazette 34)

This tie delivered no shortage of drama in the first leg, but this was something else altogether. Talisca’s precise shot and thumping header sandwiched a neat dink from Alexandre Lacazette, who twice hit the woodwork, meaning the need for extra time. There was no further breakthrough, leaving Lyon to triumph from the spot; Maxime Gonalons struck the winning penalty.

Genk 1-1 Celta (Trossard 67; Sisto 63)

Celta are through to a major European semi-final for the first time. The Liga side already had the edge from last week, but Pione Sisto’s virtuoso effort added to their single-goal cushion. Though Genk equalised to extend their run to nine European home games unbeaten this season, Celta held firm to progress.

Manchester United 2-1 Anderlecht (Mkhitaryan 10, Rashford 107; Hanni 32)

Marcus Rashford’s deflected finish proved the difference here. United looked on course for a routine sixth successive European home victory when Henrikh Mkhitaryan netted his fifth goal in six UEFA Europa League outings, but Hanni’s equaliser ensured the Premier League outfit were made to sweat through an additional 30 minutes. Still, one step closer to a European clean sweep.

Schalke 3-2 Ajax (Goretzka 53, Burgstaller 56, Caligiuri 101; Viergever 111, Younes 120)

Schalke appeared to have done the hard work here. Trailing 2-0 following their trip to Amsterdam last week, they gained parity thanks to two goals in four minutes and then looked to have finished the job through Daniel Caligiuri’s header in extra time. There was still time for Ajax to strike, though, and reach the last four of a European competition for the first time in 20 years.

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