UEL RO16 Playoffs: Barcelona, Manchester United inseparable in four-goal thriller
In-form Rashford nets for fourth consecutive game for Red Devils
Barcelona and Manchester United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Spotify Camp Nou as both sides seek a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League. All of the game’s goals came in the second half of the clash.
Having been sent crashing out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage, Barcelona were drawn against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League playoffs, a clash between two of Europe’s biggest clubs of the 21st century.
With both sides in fine form and full of confidence, the clash promised to be a thrilling one. The first half of the clash was goal-shy, with neither side able to find the net. There were two outstanding saves from Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, however, from Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst as Manchester United looked for an opener.
The second half got off to a flying start as former Chelsea man Marcos Alonso rose highest to head home a corner kick from Raphinha and put the home side in front just five minutes into the half.
Manchester United delivered an instant response through the in-form Rashford, who scored for the fourth game in a row, equalling his best-ever tally of 22 goals in a season. The Englishman drove into the box from the right before drilling an effort which beat Ter Stegen at his near post in the 52nd minute.
Just seven minutes later, the match was turned on its head as Manchester United took the lead. Rashford received the ball from a short corner before firing a low cross into the box. Bruno Fernandes flicked the ball with his heel before Jules Kounde inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
After going behind, Barcelona upped the tempo as they sought to punish their visitors, and they found an equaliser in the 76th minute. A loose pass from Casemiro was pounced upon by Kounde, who passed the ball to Raphinha. The Brazilian winger put in a cross which evaded everyone in the box and nestled into the net.
Both teams looked for a late winner but failed to find it, with Raphinha and Andrea’s Christensen both close to finding a late winner for the home side. Barcelona are now undefeated in 17 matches and would visit Old Trafford for the second leg of the tie next week.
