The Tolisso red card is a ridiculous decision,” he said. “To receive a yellow card in this situation was for stopping a promising attack and this was not the case as there was a covering defender who could easily play the ball. “Watching another angle, I am not sure there was much contact either to award a foul.
Europa League Chaos: Tolisso’s Red Card Sparks Debate as Manchester United Edge Past Lyon in Classic Clash
In a thrilling Europa League quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford, Manchester United narrowly overcame Lyon with a dramatic 5-4 win after extra time, sealing a 7-6 aggregate victory. But the spotlight wasn’t just on the goals—it was the controversial sending-off of Corentin Tolisso that stole the headlines.
Tolisso, who had earlier reignited Lyon’s hopes by scoring to wipe out United’s two-goal cushion, was shown a red card in the 89th minute. The referee ruled that his challenge denied a clear attacking opportunity, though critics argue that minimal contact was made and a Lyon defender was well-placed to cover.
Playing with ten men, Lyon showed incredible resilience by scoring two goals in extra time to go 4-2 up. But Manchester United responded in sensational fashion. Bruno Fernandes struck first, followed by Kobbie Mainoo, before Harry Maguire rose high to head home a dramatic late winner—sending United through to the semi-finals, where they’ll meet Athletic Bilbao.
The red card incident has sparked outrage among fans, pundits, and even former referees. Many believe the call unfairly altered the outcome of the match. Former Premier League official Mark Clattenburg went so far as to label the decision “ridiculous,” lending weight to the calls for more consistent officiating standards.
Debate over the use of VAR has once again been ignited, with fans questioning whether the technology did enough to assess the situation or simply deferred too much to the referee’s judgment.
As Lyon turn their attention back to domestic football, questions linger over how the psychological blow of such a loss—and the manner in which it happened—might affect their momentum moving forward.
Manchester United may be celebrating their epic comeback, but the controversy ensures that this match will be remembered for more than just the scoreline
