Published: 08:55, January 24, 2025
Europa League: Fernandes seals Man United win, Son shines for Spurs
By Reuters
Rangers' goalkeeper Jack Butland (top) scores an own goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers in Manchester, England, on Jan 23, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a last-gasp winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Rangers in the Europa League group stage on Thursday and Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min struck twice in his team's 3-2 win at Hoffenheim.

United climbed to fourth in the standings on 15 points going into the last round of matches, in a strong position to reach the knockout phase along with Spurs who are sixth with 14 points.

The English side broke the deadlock early in the second half when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland misjudged a Christian Eriksen corner, sending the ball into his own net.

Rangers fought back with an equalizer from substitute Cyril Dessers two minutes from time before Fernandes struck in added time to give United all three points.

Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian striker #09 Richarlison (center left) and Hoffenheim's French defender #34 Stanley Nsoki (center right) vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League football match between TSG Hoffenheim and Tottenham in Sinsheim, on Jan 23, 2025. (PHOTO / AFP)

In Germany, James Maddison opened the scoring for Spurs in the third minute and Son doubled the lead in a first half the visitors dominated.

Hoffenheim pulled one back in the 68th minute through Anton Stach’s counter-attack goal. Son restored Spurs’ two-goal lead in the 77th minute before the hosts' David Mokwa scored to give his side late hope but the game ended in a narrow win for the English side.

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Lazio stayed top of the standings with a commanding 3-1 home victory over Real Sociedad to become the first team to qualify for the round of 16.

Real Sociedad's Jon Pacheco (20) clears the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Lazio and Real Sociedad, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, on Jan 23, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

Mario Gila struck after five minutes and when Sociedad’s Aihen Munoz was shown a second yellow card on the half-hour mark, Lazio immediately seized the advantage.

Mattia Zaccagni quickly doubled the lead and Taty Castellanos effectively ended the match with a third for the hosts. Ander Barrenetxea scored a late consolation goal for Sociedad.

Eintracht Frankfurt moved closer to securing a top-eight spot with a 2-0 home win over Hungarian side Ferencvaros thanks to second-half goals from Can Uzun and Hugo Ekitike. They are second in the standings with 16 points, three ahead of ninth-placed Galatasaray.

Roma's Paulo Dybala (left) and AZ Alkmaar's Wouter Goes fight for the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between AZ and Roma at AFAS Stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, on Jan 23, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

A late goal from Troy Parrott gave AZ Alkmaar a 1-0 home win over AS Roma and Olympiacos earned a 1-0 victory at Porto thanks to a late goal from Ayoub El Kaabi.

Dutch side Alkmaar can still reach the top eight with 11 points sitting in 14th place while Roma's nine points place them 21st, close to the bottom of the playoff section.

READ MORE: Man United earn first win, Spurs suffer first loss, Lazio top

Fenerbahce and Olympique Lyonnais played out an intense goalless draw in Istanbul, leaving the French side in a strong position to progress in fifth place in the group on 14 points.