The UEFA Europa League knockout round playoffs saw Manchester united come from behind to eliminate Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday. The Red Devils won 2-1 to advance 4-3 on aggregate, making it to the last 16. The day got off to a wild start in the early slate of games with Sporting, Juventusand Sevilla all advancing. It never really calmed down with some utter goal fests in the later games too as continental competition was on the line and drama was high across Europe.
Monaco and Leverkusen served up another spectacular feast which went to penalties after a 5-5 aggregate result before the Germans triumphed from the spot. Angel Di Maria scored a hat-trick for Juve in the pick of the performances while Florian Wirtz also reminded us all of his talent with a goal and an assist in the principality.
It was all just building up to the main event, though. Manchester United against Barcelona lived up to its billing of being Champions League worthy and the two played out a thriller which Erik ten Hag's men eventually came out on top in. Fred and Antony were the heroes with the home goals after Robert Lewandowski had opened the scoring from the penalty spot and tempers flared on both sides at times.
AS Roma also turned their tie with Red Bull Salzburg on its head with two first-half goals through Andrea Belotti and Paulo Dybala while Union Berlin stunned AFC Ajax as their dream season continues. The big story was at Old Trafford, though, where Barca's continental campaign came crashing to a close which could have ramifications for the club.
Here are the scores and some takeaways from the evening:
The Dutchman against Xavi was always going to be a fascinating battle and this was perhaps the clearest indication yet of how United are getting back to being something like their old selves. It was a proper titanic tussle and in the end, it was the Red Devils who came out on top and came from behind to do so. This is another feather in Ten Hag's cap and the round of 16 promises another challenge given some of the remaining teams.
Our own Francesco Porzio went into greater detail on the Argentine, but it was still great to see him rolling back the years with another exceptional European display as he returned to France. El Fideo played some of his best soccer with Paris Saint-Germain and scored some memorable goals against Nantes over the years, but few can compete with his opener at Stade de la Beaujoire which is comfortably a goal of the tournament contender already. That he completed a hat-trick was outstanding.
Nantes and Monaco both crashed out after the principality outfit went down to Leverkusen on penalties after a 3-2 defeat at Stade Louis II ensured a 5-5 aggregate score line. Moussa Diaby scored the decisive spot kick on his return to France and it was a pity either team had to lose after giving us two of the most memorable legs of continental soccer lately. Ligue 1 lost two of its three representatives while Rennes were taken to extra time by a resilient Shakhtar.
The German feel-good story continues as Union's improbable Bundesliga title tilt is allied with a strong European run too. A 3-1 win over a club with such continental pedigree as Ajax is simply sensational for a club of Union's standing and major credit is owed to one of the most impressive projects in the game right now. Whatever comes next will surely be considered a bonus after memories like the ones made here.
That is it from three of our four late games. United, Roma, and Union Berlin advance. Now it is up to Rennes or Shakhtar to decide who will join them in the round of 16.
Antony comes up with a big, big goal at Old Trafford! From 1-0 down to 2-1 up. The last 20 or so will be very interesting!
Mr Europa League himself Karl Toko Ekambi puts the French side ahead 1-0 in the second half. That levels things up on aggregate at 2-2 and suddenly things look doable.
Kudus pulls one back for the Dutch straight out of the locker room, but Doekhi immediately restores the hosts' lead and makes things tough for Ajax once more.
Fred pulls the hosts back to 1-1 just minutes into the second half. Fernandes assist after he was guilty on the penalty.
The scores from around the grounds at the break...
Manchester United 0, Barcelona 1 (2-3 on aggregate)
Rennes 0, Shakhtar 0 (1-2 on aggregate)
Roma 2, Salzburg 0 (2-1 on aggregate)
Union Berlin 2, Ajax 0 (2-0 on aggregate)
Juranovic doubles the lead for the Germans just before half-time. Dutch giants Ajax could be about to crash out of Europe here. Bundesliga title challengers Union and their incredible season continues.
Belotti puts the Italians ahead. Mourinho's men lead on the night and are now level in the tie at 1-1! Dybala quickly adds a second and suddenly the Romans lead 2-0 here and 2-1 overall.
The Germans successful from the spot in the principality with Diaby scoring the crucial final penalty. This is turning into a poor evening for French sides. Rennes remain in the competition, but still trail Shakhtar at home. Nantes and now Monaco are both out.
Traore thinks he has put the Ukrainians in front in France, but VAR has other ideas. Knoche's penalty gives the Germans the lead over the Dutch giants. Big goals after a bit of a wait! Barca and Union lead their ties.
Lewandowski makes no mistake from the spot! Xavi's men lead at Old Trafford with our first goal from the late games.
Barca have a spot kick after a silly foul by Fernandes on Balde. Meanwhile, Monaco and Leverkusen will now be separated by penalties.
The next batch of matches have started, including the big one at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Barcelona. Already a save from Ter Stegen to deny Fernandes there! Shakhtar's Trubin is also keeping Truffert out in Rennes.
The Dutch are back within a goal late on against Sevilla through Fabio Silva. Ugly scenes followed as a PSV fan invaded the pitch and tried to attack Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. Security and local police had to intervene.
Gartenmann's own goal rubs salt into the hosts' wounds. Down to 10 and going out 5-1 on aggregate after a first leg draw. Woof.
Quite simply incredible, this one. Monaco pull back to 2-3 on the night so 5-5 on aggregate through Breel Embolo.
The Argentine completes his treble in Nantes. What an individual performance! Three on the night for Di Maria and 3-0 for Juve who lead 4-1 on aggregate.
Goncalves gets his second for the Portuguese while Luuk De Jong grabs what will probably be a consolation strike for the Dutch.
Amine Adli makes it 3-1 to the Germans on his return to his home country. For now, Leverkusen are going through at Monaco's expense 5-4 on aggregate. Ben Yedder hits the woodwork almost immediately. This one is not done yet!
The Portuguese side are easing through. Pedro Goncalves makes it 2-0 on the night with a one-man advantage and 3-1 on aggregate.
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
Barca: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Roberto.
Gavi is suspended for accumulating too many yellow cards while Pedri is out with a hamstring problem. Ousmane Dembele is also out with a thigh issue but Ronald Araujo's domestic ban does not impact him here and Sergio Busquets was on the bench vs. Celta Vigo after his ankle injury. The Spaniard could join Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie in the middle and Ansu Fati could also start ahead of Ferran Torres.
Around the grounds so far this evening...
Midtjylland 0, Sporting 1 (1-2 on aggregate)
Monaco 1, Leverkusen 2 (4-4 on aggregate)
Nantes 0, Juventus 2 (1-3 on aggregate)
PSV 0, Sevilla 0 (0-3 on aggregate)
Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer are back from the European suspensions they were serving last week. Casemiro is also back despite his domestic ban which has just ended, but Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek remain long-term injury absentees. Anthony Martial, Harry Maguire, and Antony are battling injury issues ahead of Thursday which makes it likely that Jadon Sancho is involved here -- possibly ahead of Alejandro Garnacho. Raphael Varane should be back so Victor Lindelof could join Wout Weghorst on the bench after his outing against Leicester City was not as productive as Ten Hag might have hoped. Marcus Rashford's incredible form continues and he will be the main goal threat for the home side.
It is all happening so far this evening. Coates has given the Portuguese outfit the lead in Denmark and I am yet to take a breath in a good 15-20 minutes. Incredible stuff! Paulinho also saw red towards the end of the first half so the hosts are down to 10 men.
Ben Yedder converted his penalty and Leverkusen went right back up the other end to take the lead. 2-1 with Palacios the scorer to make it 4-4 on aggregate.
Juve and Monaco win spot kicks and Nantes are down to 10 with Pallois being dismissed. Chaotic first halves! Ben Yedder and Di Maria both score their penalties so Monaco are level at 1-1 and Juve lead 2-0.
Florian Wirtz puts the Germans ahead and Alexander Nubel will have to take the blame for that one. Not a great start for French sides so far. Now 3-3 on aggregate!
Di Maria puts the Italians ahead in Nantes. A great curling strike from the edge of the box! The perfect way to silence a boiling home crowd. Juve lead 2-1 on aggregate!
The four early fixtures have started and Nantes' Stade de la Beaujoire is rocking as they host Juventus. Could it be a special night for French soccer with Nantes, Rennes, and Monaco all in action?
