Manchester United Crush 10-Man Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in Europa League Semi-Final First Leg
Bruno Fernandes scored twice and Casemiro added another as Manchester United produced a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League semi-final first leg clash at the iconic San Mames Stadium on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
The Spanish side was reduced to 10 men midway through the first half when Daniel Vivian was sent off for denying Rasmus Højlund a goal-scoring opportunity. Fernandes calmly converted the penalty and later scored again to cap off a dominant first-half display.
The victory puts United firmly on course for a place in the final—ironically set to take place at the same venue, San Mames—dashing Bilbao’s dreams of lifting their first-ever European trophy on home soil.
🔥 United Rise Under Pressure
Despite their struggles in the Premier League—currently sitting 14th—a Europa League win is United’s last chance at European qualification and a potential £100 million boost. And they stepped up when it mattered.
Early pressure from the passionate Bilbao crowd saw United forced into defensive action. Alejandro Garnacho had the ball in the net but was flagged offside, while Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer came close for the hosts.
However, Casemiro stunned the home side by heading in United’s opener in the 32nd minute, following a daring run and cross from Harry Maguire, with Manuel Ugarte flicking the ball across goal.
Then came the turning point: Vivian’s red card for dragging down Højlund, followed by Fernandes coolly slotting home from the spot.
Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde made changes to rescue the match, but United capitalized further. Ugarte’s clever backheel set up Fernandes, who tucked away his second goal just before halftime.
📉 San Mames Silenced
The Basque faithful, who had filled the streets in red-and-white stripes on the May Day holiday, watched in dismay as their dreams unraveled. They voiced their frustration at the referee, Espen Eskas, especially after a late penalty shout was denied when Maroan Sannadi tumbled under Maguire’s challenge.
United nearly added a fourth when Noussair Mazraoui rattled the crossbar, but the second half remained goalless.
Still, the damage had been done. United now carry a massive advantage into the return leg at Old Trafford, where they will aim to complete the job and reach the Europa League final.
