Europa League: are these the best games of the 2020/21 season?
Friday, May 28, 2021
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Dinamo Zagreb's elimination of Tottenham makes the top ten, but which other matches thrilled us?
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The UEFA Europa League cannot match the universal appeal of the UEFA Champions League, but when it comes to drama and superb entertainment, the competition punches well above its weight.
These ten games had us on the edge of our seats. Vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.
29/04/2021, semi-final first leg
Bruno Fernandes gave United an early lead, but they went into the break 2-1 behind, ex-Manchester City man Edin Džeko putting the visitors ahead. However, the hosts' second-half onslaught was something to witness, two Edinson Cavani strikes sparking a thumping win at Old Trafford.
Must-see moment: Cavani's stylish shot into the top corner to make it 2-2.
Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (aet, agg: 3-2)
18/03/2021, round of 16 second leg
José Mourinho went to the Dinamo dressing room to congratulate the side who eliminated his Tottenham team, Mislav Oršić's hat-trick overturning a 2-0 deficit. Home boss Damir Krznar said: "This was a wonderful game – one you like to dream about, but you don't dare to."
Must-see moment: Oršić's opener or Dominik Livaković's extra-time save from Harry Kane.
Arsenal 3-2 Benfica (agg: 4-3)
25/02/2021, round of 32 second leg
Having gone 2-1 up on the night, the Eagles had one foot in the round of 16, but goals from Kieran Tierney and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saved the Gunners. "Football can be very cruel," said Benfica's Adel Taarabt. "And today football was cruel to us."
Must-see moment: Diogo Gonçalves's piledriver free-kick for the visitors' first.
Leicester 0-2 Slavia Praha (agg: 0-2)
25/02/2021, round of 32 second leg
The Foxes were a little off-colour, and the Czech champions – on course for the quarter-finals – took full advantage. "Our qualification is a sporting miracle," said Slavia boss Jindřich Trpišovský. "For us it is the same as when Leicester won the Premier League."
Must-see moment: Abdallah Sima's fine low drive to double the visitors' advantage.
PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Olympiacos (agg: 4-5)
25/02/2021, round of 32 second leg
PSV had recovered a 4-2 first-leg deficit by half-time of the second leg, Eran Zahavi's superbly-struck free-kick putting the hosts ahead on away goals. Olympiacos went for broke, and hit the post twice before Ahmed Hassan scrambled in their tie-winner at the last.
Must-see moment: Ahmed Hassan's twirly-fingers celebration after his clincher.
18/02/2020, round of 32 first leg
"It’s a crazy game but it's a big victory," said YB boss Gerardo Soane after the Swiss club secured a shock win against the team from the 'Big Canton'. The hosts had gone 3-0 in front, yet saw that lead vanish in the second period before Jordan Siebatchau won it at the last.
Must-see moment: Meschack Elia's composed finish to make it 3-0 to YB.
26/11/2020, group stage Matchday 4
The sides' first meeting ended in a 3-3 draw, ten-man Benfica levelling late in Lisbon, and they conjured a similarly dramatic escape act in the return fixture, a James Tavernier own goal and Pizzi’s late finish bringing them back from 2-0 down.
Must-see moment: Kemar Roofe’s screamer for Rangers' second.
05/11/2020, group stage Matchday 3
If Zlatan Ibrahimović brought star quality to AC Milan, he was comprehensively upstaged at San Siro, with Yusuf Yazıcı's second treble of the group stage ending a 24-game unbeaten run for the hosts. L'Équipe credited LOSC with saving "the honour of French football".
Must-see moment: The first-time finish that completed Yusuf Yazıcı's hat-trick.
05/11/2020, group stage Matchday 3
Sparta compared their section to a UEFA Champions League group; they finished below AC Milan and LOSC, but managed to beat Celtic 4-1 away and at home, Lukáš Juliš’s treble being key to a sensational result in Glasgow. “Nobody expected this win and this scoreline," said captain David Pavelka.
Must-see moment: The drag-back that bought Juliš space to score his second.
22/10/2020, group stage Matchday 1
In one of two eight-goal thrillers on the opening night (along with Leverkusen 6-2 Nice), Unai Emery's team were pegged back from 2-0 and then 3-2 before substitute Paco Alcácer struck twice in the space of five minutes to finally see off Sivasspor.
Must-see moment: Max Gradel's free-kick which restored parity at 3-3.
