Manchester United got here from behind to beat Barcelona within the Europa League R16 Playoff as they obtained the higher of the Spanish giants by 2-1 on the evening and 4-3 on the combination. Goals from Fred and Anthony had been sufficient for the Red Devils to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s opening purpose within the second half as they now look ahead to the R16. In different video games, Italian powerhouse Juventus and Roma additionally gained their respective matches to e-book a spot within the R16.
Manchester United come from behind
Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty had left Erik ten Hag’s crew with work to do however his half-time change turned the sport with second-half targets from Fred and substitute Antony sufficient to take United by way of to the spherical of 16 on the expense of Xavi’s Barca.
It was a comeback that had not regarded seemingly on the interval however as an alternative made it an evening to keep in mind, an enormous second for Antony and for Ten Hag’s enhancing crew. They go into Sunday’s Carabao Cup ultimate nonetheless chasing glory in 4 completely different competitions.
The ambiance had been raucous earlier than kick-off, that sense of the potential for an event to savour up in opposition to fellow European heavyweights. But for all the joy, for all of the noise inside Old Trafford, it was Barcelona who landed the primary blow.
Bruno had the opening likelihood of the sport, discovering himself free on the appropriate however solely ready to fireplace his shot into the ft of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen within the Barcelona purpose. But that was a minor failing in contrast to the expensive error that was to comply with on the different finish.
Alejandro Balde was operating away from purpose within the nook of the penalty field when the United captain tugged at his arm. It was silly and although David de Gea obtained a contact to Lewandowski’s penalty he may solely palm the ball into the highest nook of the web.
Big enhance for Juventus
In different video games on the evening, Angel Di Maria scored a hat-trick to e-book Juventus’ passage within the later rounds as they struggle to win the Europa League and safe a Champions League spot for subsequent season. The Old Lady have been docked 15 factors this season in Serie A and are unlikely to make the premier European competitors by way of their league place. The evening additionally noticed wins for AS Roma, and Bayer Leverkusen.
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