Sam Lammers exploited Christian Eriksen’s mishap during the second half at Old Trafford, swiftly dashing off to score a tie-maker for the underdog team from the Netherlands. Manchester United’s head coach, Erik ten Hag, scrutinized his team’s lack of relentless aggression. This came after their disappointing 1-1 tie with his previous team, FC Twente, in the newly redesigned Europa League that took place on Wednesday. Once again, Sam Lammers took full advantage of Christian Eriksen’s error during the second half at Old Trafford, darting off to deliver a game-equalizing point for the unsuspected Dutch team.
“They played their hearts out. We didn’t,” Ten Hag admitted. “You can’t just give almost everything. Full effort is needed. When you have the upper hand, you have to seal the win.
” Eriksen had given Man United an early lead with a fantastic strike in the first half. Yet, Lammers dispossessed him and scored, earning a surprise draw for the guest team.
Ten Hag, who has a sentimental connection to this team from his young days in the Netherlands, found it tough. His parting words, “It’s hard to go against something you hold dear.”
United Man fans were left in disappointment, despite Eriksen’s hopeful start. The home team initially seemed set for a win. They’ve been victorious in only three of seven matches this season across all tournaments.
Their recent tie followed a goalless stalemate against Crystal Palace over the weekend. Eriksen was on fire in the 35th minute, sending a one-timer soaring into the corner. The star player connected with a loose ball just inside the boundary.
He dexterously steered it past Twente’s goalie, Unnerstall, not missing a beat. Powerful and precise, he celebrated before the home crowd, fist raised high.
The loudest cheers rang out from Twente’s fans after Lammers scored a goal in the 68th minute, besting Andre Onana at his near post. Ten Hag offered some insight. “Even when you’re leading, there’s plenty more football to be played. The game lasts more than 90 minutes, and we must battle until the end to net the second goal.” Just as in the Champions League, the second-tier Europa League has adopted a new format. Now with 36 teams instead of the previous 32, this revised configuration replaces the old group stage with a league system. Now, each team plays eight unique games running through January.
Lazio cruises, Osimhen assists
The duel between the Turkish and Greek titans ended with Galatasaray triumphing over PAOK, 3-1. Victor Osimhen made his mark, coming from Napoli to Galatasaray only in September.
An expected goal from his header was thwarted by Abdul Rahman Baba, a defender, who accidentally knocked it into his own net. The score evened out when Giannis Konstantelias made good on a rebound.
It was Osimhen who paved the way for Yunus Akgün to clench the decisive goal. Mauro Icardi managed to squeeze in one last goal during stoppage-time. Meanwhile, Lazio had an easy victory against Dynamo Kyiv with a score of 3-0. Boulaye Dia managed two goals, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru contributed one. Each team finished with only 10 players.
Real Sociedad battled in La Liga. Ander Barrenetxea scored at Nice. But, Nice bounced back with a 1-1 tie. Pablo Rosario evened the score late in the first half. Hoffenheim, wrestling with Bundesliga, earned one point in Denmark.
They tied 1-1 with Danish Superliga’s top team, Midtjylland. Late in the first half, Darío Osorio gave the hosts the lead. Stand-in Max Moerstedt pulled a tie in the last minute. In Brussels, Anderlecht scored a pair of goals in five minutes in the second half.
They won 2-1 over Ferencváros. The goals were from Yari Verschaeren and Kasper Dolberg.
Slavia Prague had a goal in both halves winning 2-0 at Ludogorets in Bulgaria.
Early wins
The first victories of the day were seized by Norwegian team Bodø/Glimt and the Dutch crew AZ Alkmaar.
Remarkably, Jens Petter Hauge orchestrated a turnaround for the 10-man Bodø/Glimt by firing home two goals. They clawed their way from lagging behind to triumphing 3-2 against Porto. For Alkmaar, their 3-2 triumph against Sweden’s Elfsborg was certain when Troy Parrott scored from a penalty.
Samu gifted Porto, a league with two championships under its belt, an early advantage. But then Kasper Høgh replied and along with Hauge’s duo goals, Bodø/Glimt surged ahead with a 3-1 buffer. Porto narrowed the gap to just one with a last-minute strike from substitute Deniz Gül.
The first victories of the day were seized by Norwegian team Bodø/Glimt and the Dutch crew AZ Alkmaar. Remarkably, Jens Petter Hauge orchestrated a turnaround for the 10-man Bodø/Glimt by firing home two goals.
They clawed their way from lagging behind to triumphing 3-2 against Porto. For Alkmaar, their 3-2 triumph against Sweden’s Elfsborg was certain when Troy Parrott scored from a penalty.
Samu gifted Porto, a league with two championships under its belt, an early advantage. But then Kasper Høgh replied and along with Hauge’s duo goals, Bodø/Glimt surged ahead with a 3-1 buffer. Porto narrowed the gap to just one with a last-minute strike from substitute Deniz Gül.