Early on March 7th Beijing Time, the first leg of the Round of 16 in the 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League kicked off. Real Sociedad hosted Manchester United, known as the "Red Devils". In the first half of the game, Manchester United launched a fierce offensive but struggled to break the deadlock. In the second half, Garnacho assisted Zirkzee for a shot that found the net. Subsequently, Bruno Fernandes handled the ball in the penalty area, conceding a penalty kick, and Oyarzabal scored from the spot. Eventually, the two teams drew 1-1, and Manchester United remained unbeaten in nine Europa League games.
In the first half, in the 12th minute, Manchester United launched a quick counter - attack. Garnacho received the ball on the left wing, cut inside, dribbled past two defenders, but his shot was too straight and was caught by Remiro. In the 18th minute, Zubimendi dribbled past the double - team of Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho in the midfield, dodged around Dalot outside the penalty area, and his long - range shot went wide. In the 19th minute, Manchester United launched an attack on the right wing. Dalot advanced into the penalty area and passed the ball back. Garnacho distributed it to Doku who was unmarked at the far post, but Doku's right - footed shot went over the goal.
In the 37th minute, Manchester United created consecutive scoring opportunities. Dalot advanced on the right wing and crossed the ball. Bruno Fernandes' sliding shot in the middle was blocked by a defender. Then Zirkzee had two consecutive shots in the penalty area but failed to break through the defense. In the 42nd minute, Bruno Fernandes sent a long through - ball from the midfield. Dalot advanced into the penalty area and headed the ball, but the angle was too straight and was caught by Remiro. After that, neither team could create a threatening attack, and the score was 0 - 0 at half - time.
In the second half, in the 46th minute, Kubo made a cross from the right wing, and Oyarzabal's attempt to tap in at the near post went wrong. In the 49th minute, Manchester United was awarded a free - kick in the middle of the front field. Bruno Fernandes took the free - kick, and the ball went just wide of the goal. In the 50th minute, Manchester United stole the ball in the front field. Zirkzee passed the ball to Doku, who swept it across the middle from the left side of the penalty area. Garnacho's right - footed shot at the far post hit the side netting. In the 53rd minute, Bruno Fernandes received the ball on the right side of the penalty area and passed it back. Garnacho's shot in the middle lacked power.
In the 56th minute, Manchester United broke the deadlock first. After a steal in the back field, Casemiro passed the ball to the middle. Dalot received it and then passed it to Garnacho on the right. Garnacho dribbled forward and made a cross in front of the penalty area. Zirkzee followed up and scored with a right - footed shot at the top of the arc, giving Manchester United a 1 - 0 lead. In the 62nd minute, Hojlund passed the ball at the top of the arc, and Garnacho's low shot from the right side of the penalty area hit the side netting. In the 64th minute, Mendez received the ball in front of the arc, turned and shot with his left foot towards the far corner, but the ball went just wide.
In the 68th minute, after being reminded by the video assistant referee, the referee reviewed the video and ruled that Bruno Fernandes had handled the ball in the penalty area, awarding a penalty kick. Oyarzabal calmly scored from the spot, equalizing the score for Real Sociedad at 1 - 1. In the 77th minute, Real Sociedad launched an attack in the middle. Mendez dribbled horizontally outside the penalty area and then shot with his left foot. Onana dived to save the ball. In the 84th minute, Real Sociedad launched a quick counter - attack. Bayo received the ball on the right wing and passed it directly to the middle. Oskarsson's close - range shot went wide.
In the 95th minute of the added time, Real Sociedad sent a through - ball from the midfield. Oskarsson made a run into the left side of the penalty area and shot at a narrow angle, but Onana saved the ball. After that, neither team could create a threat, and the game ended 1 - 1. Manchester United remained unbeaten in nine Europa League games. The second leg will be played at Old Trafford.
Line - ups: Real Sociedad (4 - 3 - 3): 1 - Remiro/3 - Munoz, 21 - Agudo, 5 - Zubimendi, 6 - Elustondo (63' 19 - Aranburu)/24 - Zubimendi (88' 18 - Guevara), 22 - Zubimendi (63' 28 - Marin), 23 - Mendez/7 - Barrenetxea (63' 9 - Oskarsson), 10 - Oyarzabal, 14 - Kubo (81' 11 - Bayo). Manchester United (3 - 4 - 3): 24 - Onana/3 - Mazraoui, 4 - de Ligt, 15 - Dalot (88' 2 - Lindelof)/13 - Doku, 18 - Casemiro, 8 - Bruno Fernandes, 20 - Dalot/11 - Zirkzee (88' 43 - Collier), 9 - Hojlund, 17 - Garnacho (78' 14 - Eriksen).