Man United Rally Past Viktoria Plzen with Hojlund’s Late Heroics

Man United Rally Past Viktoria Plzen with Hojlund’s Late Heroics \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to score twice, including an 88th-minute winner, as Manchester United staged a 2-1 comeback against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. Hojlund’s performance marked his fifth goal in six appearances in the competition and helped secure United’s spot in the top eight standings. Other Europa League highlights included Lazio’s 3-1 win over Ajax to claim first place and Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Rangers.

Manchester United’s Comeback: Quick Looks

• Hojlund Shines: Rasmus Hojlund scored twice, including the match-winner, to seal a vital 2-1 win.
• Team Progress: The victory placed Manchester United in seventh with 12 points.
• Early Setback: Matěj Vydra scored for Viktoria Plzen early in the second half.
• Tottenham Woes: Spurs’ Europa League struggles continued with a 1-1 draw against Rangers.
• Lazio Dominance: Lazio moved to the top of the standings with a commanding 3-1 victory over Ajax.
• Wider Impact: Wins for Anderlecht, Lyon, and PAOK, while Galatasaray remained unbeaten.

Deep Look

Manchester United kept their Europa League campaign alive with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Viktoria Plzen on Thursday, driven by Rasmus Hojlund’s late-game brilliance. The young Danish striker came off the bench to score both goals, including a decisive strike in the 88th minute, securing a much-needed win for United and lifting them into the top eight standings.

Hojlund’s Match-Winning Brilliance

Rasmus Hojlund replaced Marcus Rashford in the 56th minute and wasted no time turning the game around. Just six minutes after stepping onto the field, Hojlund capitalized on a rebound when Amad Diallo’s shot was deflected by Viktoria Plzen goalkeeper Martin Jedlička, leaving the 21-year-old with an easy tap-in to equalize.

With the clock ticking down, Hojlund struck again in the 88th minute, latching onto Bruno Fernandes’ expertly delivered pass from a free kick and coolly finishing to complete the comeback. Hojlund now has five goals in just six Europa League appearances, solidifying his reputation as one of Manchester United’s brightest talents.

“It feels good to score two goals, but I’m happier with the win,” Hojlund said after the match. “My instructions? Go out there and score two goals! Just use my qualities, run the channels, and be assertive in front of goal.”

The Match in Context

The win was critical for Manchester United, who entered the match under pressure after two consecutive Premier League losses—2-0 to Arsenal and 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest. Those defeats left United languishing in 13th place domestically, eight points off the top four, and raised concerns about progress under new coach Ruben Amorim.

United’s Europa League record, however, has been steadier. With three wins and three draws, they sit seventh in the standings with 12 points from six matches. The top eight teams automatically advance to the Round of 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th must compete in a two-legged playoff.

Viktoria Plzen’s Resistance

Viktoria Plzen initially looked poised to cause an upset when Matěj Vydra, formerly of Burnley and Watford, opened the scoring three minutes into the second half. The Czech side held firm under United’s mounting pressure until Hojlund’s arrival swung the momentum decisively in favor of the visitors.

Other Europa League Highlights

Tottenham Stumbles Again
Tottenham’s inconsistent Europa League campaign continued with a 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium. Hamza Igamane opened the scoring for the Scottish side early in the second half, but Spurs substitute Dejan Kulusevski salvaged a point with a 75th-minute equalizer.

Spurs, currently in ninth place, have struggled to find form, following a 2-2 draw against Roma and a 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in earlier rounds. The draw came just days after a 4-3 Premier League defeat to Chelsea.

Lazio Takes the Lead
Lazio claimed the top spot in the standings with a 3-1 victory over Ajax in Amsterdam. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and veteran Pedro Rodríguez each scored in the second half to secure the win. Lazio now leads the table with 16 points, tied with Bilbao but ahead on goal difference.

Wins for Anderlecht and Lyon
Anderlecht defeated Slavia Prague 2-1 in a critical away victory, moving into third place. Lyon, meanwhile, earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, pushing the French club into fourth.

PAOK’s Dominance and Galatasaray’s Resilience
PAOK delivered a standout performance with a 5-0 rout of Ferencvaros, while Galatasaray extended their unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw against Malmö.

Conference League Highlights

Chelsea Shines in Kazakhstan
Chelsea maintained their perfect UEFA Conference League record with a 3-1 victory over Astana in freezing conditions in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Eighteen-year-old Marc Guiu stole the show, scoring twice within the first 20 minutes. His first was a solo effort in the 14th minute, followed by a header off a Pedro Neto cross.

Renato Veiga added a third before halftime, cementing Chelsea’s dominance. Guiu, a summer signing from Barcelona, now has three goals in the competition.

Other Results

• Fiorentina thrashed LASK 7-0 in a commanding display.
• Legia Warsaw suffered a 2-1 home loss to Lugano.
• Djurgarden earned a 2-1 victory over Vikingur in Iceland.

What’s Next for Manchester United?

The victory over Viktoria Plzen gives Manchester United momentum as they aim for direct qualification to the Round of 16. With Hojlund in excellent form and Bruno Fernandes orchestrating play from midfield, United fans will hope for continued success as the team balances domestic and European ambitions.

More on Sports

Man United Rally Man United Rally