Manchester United clawed their way to a jaw-dropping victory, Tottenham powered through with a statement win, and Chelsea kept their cool in the Conference League on a wild European night. The first legs of the Europa League and Conference League semi-finals, played on May 1, 2025, delivered enough twists to keep fans buzzing from Bilbao to London.
Old Trafford was a cauldron of chaos as United faced Athletic Bilbao. The Red Devils, under Ruben Amorim’s watchful eye, capitalized when Bilbao’s defense crumbled after a red card in the 35th minute. Casemiro nodded in the opener off a Harry Maguire cross, his header a thumping reminder of his aerial prowess. Then Rasmus Højlund earned a penalty, coolly converted by Bruno Fernandes. Before Bilbao could catch their breath, Fernandes struck again, latching onto a cheeky back-heel from Manuel Ugarte to make it 3-0. Maguire, still buzzing post-match, warned the tie isn’t over, pointing to the electric atmosphere Old Trafford will bring for the return leg on May 8. United’s skipper Fernandes, who now has seven goals in seven Europa League games this season, called the atmosphere “crazy” but admitted they should’ve buried more chances.
Across the Channel, Tottenham Hotspur tore into Norwegian upstarts Bodo/Glimt at home. Ange Postecoglou’s men hit the ground sprinting—Brennan Johnson smashed in the fastest goal of the Europa League season, just 38 seconds in, with Richarlison’s assist setting the tone. James Maddison doubled the lead, weaving his magic in the box. Dominic Solanke sealed it with a penalty, though a late lapse let Bodo/Glimt nick a goal, making it 3-1. Solanke, all grit and focus, shrugged off the conceded goal but said the team’s hunger for a clean sheet stung. Postecoglou praised his striker’s steel mindset, noting the second leg in Norway won’t be a cakewalk. Spurs, chasing their first Europa League final since 1984, know the job’s half-done.
Meanwhile, Chelsea steamrolled Djurgarden 4-1 in Stockholm in the Conference League semi-final. Enzo Maresca’s Blues, looking every bit the favorites, saw Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho strike early. Nicolas Jackson bagged a brace, his second a clinical finish after a slick team move. Djurgarden pulled one back, but Chelsea’s dominance was never in doubt. Maresca, calm as ever, called it a “perfect night” but warned his side against easing up for the second leg. The Blues even gave 16-year-old Reggie Walsh a debut, the teenager nearly scoring with his first touch, marking him as one of Chelsea’s youngest-ever players in Europe.
The second legs loom large on May 8, with United and Spurs eyeing an all-English Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21. Chelsea, meanwhile, are odds-on to reach the Conference League showpiece in Wroclaw. For now, the Premier League trio stand tall, their European dreams alive and kicking.