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Man United ends winless run in Europe and Osimhen scores 2 as Galatasaray beats Tottenham

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Man United ends winless run in Europe and Osimhen scores 2 as Galatasaray beats Tottenham
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Man United ends winless run in Europe and Osimhen scores 2 as Galatasaray beats Tottenham

2024-11-08 07:16 Last Updated At:07:20

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United secured its first win in Europe for more than a year by beating PAOK 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Two second-half goals from Amad Diallo sealed the victory at Old Trafford and boosted United's hopes of progressing in the competition, while Tottenham's 100% start was ended by a 3-2 loss at Galatasaray.

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Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri scores his side's opening goal past AZ Alkmaar's goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri scores his side's opening goal past AZ Alkmaar's goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Fenerbahce's head coach Jose Mourinho, centre, follows the game during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Fenerbahce's head coach Jose Mourinho, centre, follows the game during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Lazio players celebrate after a goal during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Porto at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Lazio players celebrate after a goal during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Porto at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Olympiacos' Sergio Oliveira, left, jumps for the Baal among Rangers' Robin Proepper, centre and Connor Barron, right, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Olympiacos' Sergio Oliveira, left, jumps for the Baal among Rangers' Robin Proepper, centre and Connor Barron, right, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Olympiacos' Rodinei, right, runs for the ball with Rangers' Cyriel Dessers during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Olympiacos' Rodinei, right, runs for the ball with Rangers' Cyriel Dessers during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Union SG's Kevin Mac Allister, center right, celebrates with teammate Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte after scoring his sides first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Union SG's Kevin Mac Allister, center right, celebrates with teammate Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte after scoring his sides first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Zeki Celik center rear, reacts during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Zeki Celik center rear, reacts during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Gianluca Mancini, left, makes an attempt on goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Gianluca Mancini, left, makes an attempt on goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Prague's Tomas Holes, bottom, and Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, top, challenge for the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Prague's Tomas Holes, bottom, and Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, top, challenge for the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou watches during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou watches during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Tottenham's Will Lankshear, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Tottenham's Will Lankshear, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Yunus Akgun , not seen in the picture scores his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Yunus Akgun , not seen in the picture scores his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, right, scores his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, right, scores his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, left, scores the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, left, scores the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

United's last win in Europe was against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Oct. 24 last year.

“We addressed that in the dressing room and it was time to change that, so we did,” United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy said.

Diallo's looping header beat PAOK goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski in the 50th minute and he followed that up with a deflected shot from outside the area that nestled into the bottom corner in the 77th.

It's two wins from three games for United under Van Nistelrooy, who has one more match — against Leicester on Sunday — before handing over to Ruben Amorim.

It is not clear if there will be a role for the Dutchman after his temporary reign, but he is doing what he can to ensure that United is in the best possible position for when Amorim takes charge.

Erik ten Hag was fired last week after a woeful start to the campaign left the team in 14th place in the Premier League and without a win in Europe's secondary competition the Europa League.

Amorim was quickly hired in his place, but it has been left to Van Nistelrooy to fill the gap while the Portuguese serves a notice period at Sporting Lisbon.

He has delivered wins in the English League Cup and the Europa League either side of a draw with Chelsea in the league.

Earlier, Victor Osimhen scored twice in eight minutes to help Galatasaray beat Tottenham 3-2 in Turkey.

Osimhen scored his first goal in Europe for Galatasaray after his transfer from Napoli with a precise low shot inside the right post to give the host a 2-1 lead in the 31st minute and added his second eight minutes later by heading home a curled cross from the right by Dries Mertens.

It was Tottenham's first loss in the competition after three wins. Galatasaray remains unbeaten with three wins and a draw.

Every game on Thursday was preceded by a moment of silence to honor the victims of the devastating flooding in Spain.

In Istanbul, Yunus Akgün put Galatasary ahead in the sixth minute when Spurs failed to properly clear a free kick by Mertens and the midfielder volleyed home from outside the area past goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Tottenham equalized in the 19th minute through Will Lankshear, who made only his second senior appearance for the London club and netted from close range after a cross from Brennan Johnson. However, Lankshear was later sent off for a second yellow card on the hour mark.

Substitute Dominic Solanke pulled a goal back for Tottenham with a backheel finish in the 69th.

Lazio is the only team to maintain a perfect record with four wins after Pedro Rodríguez scored in injury time to secure a 2-1 victory over Porto.

Ajax had five different goal scorers in a 5-0 rout of Maccabi Tel-Aviv while three substitutes netted for Alkmaar in its 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce, the first loss of the competition for Jose Mourinho’s team.

Latvia’s RFS salvaged a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht with a stoppage-time equalizer as the Belgian side dropped points for the first time.

Earlier, Eintracht Frankfurt beat Slavia Prague 1-0 thanks to Omar Marmoush's second-half goal, while Roma was held to a 1-1 draw at Union Saint-Gilloise, another disappointing result after a 3-2 loss to Hellas Verona in Serie A over the weekend.

Rangers held last year’s Conference League champion Olympiacos to a 1-1 draw in Greece.

Athletic Bilbao beat Ludogorets 2-1 to stay unbeaten with three wins and a draw, while Qarabag upset Bodø/Glimt 3-1 in Norway to earn its first points.

Nice drew 2-2 with Twente with both teams finishing the game reduced to 10 men.

Chelsea demolished Armenian club Noah 8-0 to set a record for the biggest victory in the third-tier Conference League.

Chelsea took a 6-0 lead in the first half on two goals from João Félix, and one a piece from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk. Christopher Nkunku added two more in the second half, the second from the spot..

Nordsjaelland had the previous record, beating Ludogorets 7-1 last season.

Chelsea is one of six teams with three wins after three games.

Vitória beat Mladá Boleslav 2-1, Jagellonia defeated Molde 3-0 and Heidenheim won 2-0 at Hearts.

Earlier, Legia Warsaw routed Dinamo Minsk 4-0 and SK Rapid eased past Petrocub 3-0.

Karel Janicek in Prague contributed.

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

Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri scores his side's opening goal past AZ Alkmaar's goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Fenerbahce's Youssef En-Nesyri scores his side's opening goal past AZ Alkmaar's goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Fenerbahce's head coach Jose Mourinho, centre, follows the game during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Fenerbahce's head coach Jose Mourinho, centre, follows the game during the Europa League soccer match between AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce at the AFAS stadium, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen)

Lazio players celebrate after a goal during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Porto at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Lazio players celebrate after a goal during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Porto at Rome's Olympic Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Olympiacos' Sergio Oliveira, left, jumps for the Baal among Rangers' Robin Proepper, centre and Connor Barron, right, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Olympiacos' Sergio Oliveira, left, jumps for the Baal among Rangers' Robin Proepper, centre and Connor Barron, right, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Olympiacos' Rodinei, right, runs for the ball with Rangers' Cyriel Dessers during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Olympiacos' Rodinei, right, runs for the ball with Rangers' Cyriel Dessers during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Olympiacos and Rangers at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium at Athens' port of Piraeus, Greece, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Union SG's Kevin Mac Allister, center right, celebrates with teammate Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte after scoring his sides first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Union SG's Kevin Mac Allister, center right, celebrates with teammate Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte after scoring his sides first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Zeki Celik center rear, reacts during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Zeki Celik center rear, reacts during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Gianluca Mancini, left, makes an attempt on goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Roma's Gianluca Mancini, left, makes an attempt on goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Roma at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Prague's Tomas Holes, bottom, and Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, top, challenge for the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Prague's Tomas Holes, bottom, and Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, top, challenge for the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slavia Prague in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou watches during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou watches during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Tottenham's Will Lankshear, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Tottenham's Will Lankshear, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Yunus Akgun , not seen in the picture scores his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Yunus Akgun , not seen in the picture scores his side's first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen stadium, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, right, scores his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, right, scores his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, left, scores the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo, left, scores the opening goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Manchester United and PAOK at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Celebrities, cultural icons and a few surprise guests are gathering for the annual Kennedy Center Honors celebration Sunday evening in Washington.

This year's recipients of the lifetime achievement award for artistic accomplishment are director Francis Ford Coppola,the Grateful Dead, jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt. In addition, the venerable Harlem theater The Apollo, which has launched generations of Black artists, is being recognized.

There will be personalized tributes with performances and testimonials from fellow artists during the gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Medallions were presented during the traditional Saturday night ceremony at the State Department.

The tribute performances are often kept secret from the recipients themselves, most notably in 2018 when Cyndi Lauper flat out lied to her longtime friend Cher about being unable to attend. Lauper appeared on stage to perform Cher's hit, “If I Could Turn Back Time.”

Several of the latest honorees have themselves participated in past tributes to friends and colleagues at the Kennedy Center.

Coppola spoke during fellow director Martin Scorsese’s induction in 2007. Sandoval performed in the tribute to his mentor, jazz trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie. Raitt has taken part in tributes to Buddy Guy and Mavis Staples. Raitt even attended the Kennedy Center Honors in the 1970s when her father, Broadway performer John Raitt, was taking part in a tribute to composer Richard Rogers.

The tribute to the Grateful Dead is expected to double as a memorial to the band's founding bass player Phil Lesh, who died in October at age 84.

This could also be the last Kennedy Center Honors ceremony without political intrigue for a while.

During Republican Donald Trump's first four years in office, Kennedy Center officials were forced to walk a public tightrope between the tradition of the president attending the ceremony and the open antipathy toward Trump from multiple honorees. In 2017, recipient Norman Lear threatened to boycott his own ceremony if Trump attended. Trump, who takes office in January, skipped the ceremony for the entirety of his first term.

Democratic President Joe Biden is scheduled to host a reception for the honorees at the White House and plans to attend the Kennedy Center ceremony afterward.

The show will air on CBS on Dec. 22.

FILE - Francis Ford Coppola arrives at an event during the Morelia Film Festival, Oct. 22, 2024, in Morelia, Mexico. (AP Photo/Berenice Bautista, File)

FILE - Francis Ford Coppola arrives at an event during the Morelia Film Festival, Oct. 22, 2024, in Morelia, Mexico. (AP Photo/Berenice Bautista, File)

FILE - Bonnie Raitt arrives at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, March 2, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Bonnie Raitt arrives at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, March 2, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Cuban jazz player Arturo Sandoval plays during a concert in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

FILE - Cuban jazz player Arturo Sandoval plays during a concert in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

FILE - The Apollo Theater is pictured, June 5, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

FILE - The Apollo Theater is pictured, June 5, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Front row from left, Evan Ryan, Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Deborah F. Rutter; second row from left, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, David M. Rubenstein, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, Billy Kreutzmann David Jammy, and Liz Kelly pose for a group photo of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Front row from left, Evan Ryan, Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Deborah F. Rutter; second row from left, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, David M. Rubenstein, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, Billy Kreutzmann David Jammy, and Liz Kelly pose for a group photo of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Billy Kreutzmann, top right, gives bunny ears to his Grateful Dead bandmates during a group photo of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. In photo with Kreutzmann are, front row from left, Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart; second row from left, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, and Kreutzmann. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Billy Kreutzmann, top right, gives bunny ears to his Grateful Dead bandmates during a group photo of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. In photo with Kreutzmann are, front row from left, Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart; second row from left, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, and Kreutzmann. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Honorees of the 2024 Kennedy Center, from left, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, and Mickey Hart chat following a group photo at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Honorees of the 2024 Kennedy Center, from left, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, and Mickey Hart chat following a group photo at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

2024 Kennedy Center Honorees Francis Ford Coppola, left, and Bonnie Raitt talk following a group photo in the State Department at the end of the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

2024 Kennedy Center Honorees Francis Ford Coppola, left, and Bonnie Raitt talk following a group photo in the State Department at the end of the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Front row from left, Evan Ryan, Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Deborah F. Rutter; second row from left, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, David M. Rubenstein, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, Billy Kreutzmann, Trixie Garcia, the daughter of Jerry Garcia; and Grahame Lesh, the son of Phil Lesh, pose a group photo of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Front row from left, Evan Ryan, Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Deborah F. Rutter; second row from left, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, David M. Rubenstein, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, Billy Kreutzmann, Trixie Garcia, the daughter of Jerry Garcia; and Grahame Lesh, the son of Phil Lesh, pose a group photo of the 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Front row from left, 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart; second row from left, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, and Billy Kreutzmann pose for a photo at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Front row from left, 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart; second row from left, Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, Jonelle Procope, and Billy Kreutzmann pose for a photo at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

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