Hojlund scores twice for Man United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League, Tottenham held 1-1

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Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, left, celebrates after scoring during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, right, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, right, challenges for the ball with Plzen’s Sampson Dweh during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Plzen’s Matej Vydra celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Plzen’s Matej Vydra, top left, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Chelsea’s Joshua Acheampong holds the ball during the Europa Conference League opening phase soccer match between Astana and Chelsea at the Almaty Ortalyk stadium in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo)

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Chelsea’s Marc Guiu, left, fights for the ball with Astana’s Alexandr Marochkin during the Europa Conference League opening phase soccer match between Astana and Chelsea at the Almaty Ortalyk stadium in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo)

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Roma’s Saud Abdulhamid celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Europa League Soccer match between Roma and Braga at Rome’s Olympic stadium, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

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Braga’s goalkeeper Matheus Magalhaes sees the red card after deflecting the ball with his arm outside the penalty box during the Europa League Soccer match between Roma and Braga at Rome’s Olympic stadium, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Roma’s Mats Hummels sees his header saved by Braga’s goalkeeper Matheus Magalhaes during the Europa League Soccer match between Roma and Braga at Rome’s Olympic stadium, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera dives to reach the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Malmo FF and Galatasaray SK at the Malmo New Stadium in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Andreas Hillergren/TT News Agency via AP)

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Malmö's Otto Rosengren (left) is challenged by Galatasaray’s Lucas Torreira during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Malmo FF and Galatasaray SK at the Malmo New Stadium in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Andreas Hillergren/TT News Agency via AP)

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Galatasaray’s Elias Jelert celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Malmo FF and Galatasaray SK at the Malmo New Stadium in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (Andreas Hillergren/TT News Agency via AP)

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Hoffenheim’s Max Moerstadt and Bucharest’s Joyskim Dawa, rightm, in action during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FCSB Bucharest at PreZero Arena, Sinsheim, Germany, Thursday Dec. 12 2024. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

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Hoffenheim’s Tom Bischof, third from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg at the PreZero Arena, in Sinsheim, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

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PAOK’s Fedor Chalov, right, celebrates after scoring the third goal against Ferencvaros during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between PAOK and Ferencvaros at Toumpa stadium, in Thessaloniki, Greece, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

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PAOK players celebrate a goal against Ferencvaros during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between PAOK and Ferencvaros at Toumpa stadium, in Thessaloniki, Greece, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

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PAOK players celebrate their win against Ferencvaros after the end of the Europa League opening phase soccer match between PAOK and Ferencvaros at Toumpa stadium, in Thessaloniki, Greece, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

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Fiorentina’s Albert Gudmundsson scores his side’s seventh goal during the Europa Conference League opening phase soccer match between Fiorentina and LASK at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, Thursday Dec. 12, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

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The screen shows the score during the Europa Conference League opening phase soccer match between Fiorentina and LASK at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, Thursday Dec. 12, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

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Fiorentina’s Albert Gudmundsson, centre right, celebrates with teammates after scroing his side’s seventh goal during the Europa Conference League opening phase soccer match between Fiorentina and LASK at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, Thursday Dec. 12, 2024. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

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Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana reacts during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Plzen’s Matej Vydra, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at the Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game against Rangers during a UEFA Europa League soccer match at the Ibrox Stadium, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

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Tottenham’s head coach Ange Postecoglou applauds the crowd after the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Glasgow Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

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Tottenham’s Son Heung-min reacts after Rangers’ Hamza Igamane scored the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Glasgow Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

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Rangers’ Hamza Igamane, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Glasgow Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski scores their side’s first goal of the game against Rangers during a UEFA Europa League soccer match at the Ibrox Stadium, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP)

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Ajax’s Josip Sutalo duels for the ball with Lazio’s Taty Castellanos, bottom, during the Europa League soccer match between Ajax and Lazio Roma at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Lazio players celebrate their third team goal during the Europa League soccer match between Ajax and Lazio Roma at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Lazio’s Pedro kicks the ball during the Europa League soccer match between Ajax and Lazio Roma at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Ajax’s Bertrand Traore, centre, celebrates after scoring during the Europa League soccer match between Ajax and Lazio Roma at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Lazio’s Pedro celebrates after scoring during the Europa League soccer match between Ajax and Lazio Roma at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

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Lyon’s Malick Fofana scores his side’ second goal during the Europa League soccer match between Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt at Decines stadium outside Lyon, France, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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Lyon’ supporters hold a giant flag during the Europa League soccer soccer match between Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt at Decines stadium outside Lyon, France, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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Frankfurt’s Rasmus Kristensen, right, argues with Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann, unseen, during the Europa League soccer match between Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt at Decines stadium outside Lyon, France, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

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Frankfurt’s coach Dino Toppmoller gestures during the Europa League soccer match between Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt at Decines stadium outside Lyon, France, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

By KAREL JANICEK

💬

Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory and put United into the top eight of the standings.

Hojlund replaced Marcus Rashford in the 56th and scored an equalizer six minutes later after Amad Diallo’s shot was deflected by goalkeeper Martin Jedlička into his path for an easy finish.

The 21-year-old Hojlund also scored twice in the previous round, when United beat Norwegian team Bodø/Glimt 3-2, and has five goals in his six appearances in the second-tier competition.

“It feels good to have scored two goals but I am more happy with the win,” Hojlund said. “My instructions? Go out there and score two goals! Just to use my qualities, run the channels and be assertive in front of goal.”

United had come off two straight losses in the English Premier League, 2-0 away to Arsenal, and 3-2 at Old Trafford to Nottingham Forest that left the club 13th and eight points adrift of the top four as progress looked slow under new coach Ruben Amorim.

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Matěj Vydra, who previously played for Burnley and Watford, opened the scoring three minutes into the second half.

United has 12 points from six games after three wins and three draws in Europa League play — good enough for seventh place.

The top eight qualify directly to the Round of 16. The teams placed No. 9 to No. 24 go into a two-legged playoff.

Tottenham continued to show inconsistent form in a 1-1 draw at Rangers, leaving the north London team in ninth place. The Scottish side is eighth.

Substitute Dejan Kulusevski was fed by fellow substitute Dominic Solanke to score 15 minutes before time and salvage a point at Ibrox Stadium.

Spurs were held 2-2 at home by Roma in the previous round and lost 3-2 to Galatasaray before. The draw came after losing 4-3 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Hamza Igamane netted for Rangers at the start of the second half off a cross from James Tavernier in what was a return to Glasgow for Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou, who led Celtic for two seasons.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and veteran Pedro Rodríguez scored one each for Lazio in the second half to defeat Ajax 3-1 in Amsterdam and move to the top of the standings with 16 points from six games. Bilbao is level on points but in second on goal difference.

Anderlecht beat Slavia 2-1 in Prague to move into third place.

Lyon jumped to fourth by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2. The German team is fifth.

Among other results, substitute Sergio Peña equalized in stoppage time for Malmö to hold unbeaten Galatasaray 2-2. The Turkish club is sixth in the standings. PAOK routed Ferencvaros 5-0.

Roma showed signs of improvement by beating Braga 3-0 for a second straight victory that came after the struggling club earned its first win under new coach Claudio Ranieri, 4-1 over visiting Lecce in Serie A.

Braga goalkeeper Matheus received a red card in the 68th with the score 2-0.

Rangers host Tottenham later Thursday.

Conference League

A youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the UEFA Conference League.

Marc Guiu struck twice within five minutes early in the first half. The 18-year-old forward opened the scoring on a solo effort in the 14th and added his second after meeting a cross from Pedro Neto from the right in freezing conditions in the city of Almaty.

Guiu, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona this summer, has scored three in the competition.

Renato Veiga, who is 21, headed home the third before Marin Tomasov scored for the hosts late in the first half.

Neto was the only player to remain from the squad that beat Tottenham 4-3 on Sunday to move to second in the Premier League.

Chelsea has 15 points atop the standings of third-tier competition with one more game to play in the league phase.

Fiorentina crushed LASK 7-0 and Legia Warsaw lost 2-1 at home to Lugano. Swedish team Djurgarden beat Vikingur 2-1 in Iceland.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer