Manchester United defeated Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday night to advance in the Europa League. The two teams previously played an exciting first leg of the tie, as the match ended 2-2 at the Camp Nou.
Barca went into the crucial night without young stars Gavi, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele. The last two players are currently suffering from muscle injuries, while Gavi is suspended for the game. The Barcelona coach, Xavi, could have chosen to go with Ferran Torres or Ansu Fati to finish off a powerful lead. However, the coach left with a more cautious attitude towards Sergi Roberto.
Fernandes’ blunder gives Barça a penalty
However, Barça took the lead in the first 20 minutes of the game. Referee Clement Turpin awarded the visitors a penalty in the 16th minute when Bruno Fernandes brought down Alejandro Balde on the edge of the box. Replays suggested that a VAR review might not have awarded the penalty if Turpin had not originally awarded it.
Robert Lewandowski didn’t exactly look very confident on the spot kick and United’s David de Gea was able to get a hand on the shot. However, the pace in the shot propelled the ball into the side netting for the goal.
The hosts shoot out in the second half
However, Manchester United went out in flames at the half-time break and Fred leveled the score on 47 minutes. Fernandes fired in a pass to the Brazilian near the top of the Barça box. Fred did well to control the ball and fired past a diving Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The hosts continued their onslaught for another 15 minutes or so. However, Barca nearly regained their lead against the flow of play on 64 minutes. Jules Kounde sent a header towards the United goal from close range, but De Gea saved brilliantly.
Instead, United took the lead in the 73rd minute thanks to a goal from Antony. Luke Shaw started the play keeping the ball alive with a backheel that prevented a goal kick. After the Barcelona defenders blocked several shots, the ball fell into the hands of Antony. The second-half substitute then fired a low shot into the bottom corner of ter Stegen’s net.
Antonio’s goal would prove to be the winner in the two-legged tie. United now advance to the round of 16 in the competition. Barça, for its part, will have to focus on LaLiga. The Spanish giants currently lead the league by eight points over their rivals, Real Madrid.
Photo: Imago / Sportimagen
