Manchester United battled to a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur faced disappointment with a 1-0 defeat to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
In San Sebastian, United’s Joshua Zirkzee broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. Receiving an inviting pass from Alejandro Garnacho, Zirkzee unleashed a sharp low drive from 20 yards out, marking his first European goal this season. This was a significant moment for the forward, who has faced challenges during his debut season with the club.
However, the lead was short-lived. A handball by Bruno Fernandes during a corner resulted in a penalty for Real Sociedad. Mikel Oyarzabal confidently converted from the spot, leveling the score and leaving the tie evenly poised for the second leg at Old Trafford.
Over in the Netherlands, Spurs grappled with misfortune as an own goal by Lucas Bergvall in the first half handed AZ Alkmaar the victory. Tottenham will need a strong performance in the return leg to overturn the deficit and keep their Europa League aspirations alive.
Elsewhere, Rangers secured an impressive 3-1 win away against Fenerbahce, boosting their chances of progressing. French side Lyon also took a substantial step towards the quarterfinals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Romania’s FCSB.
The stage is set for thrilling second-leg encounters as teams vie for a spot in the Europa League quarterfinals. Fans around the globe will be eager to see who advances in Europe’s competitive tournament.
