UEFA Champions League: Bruno Fernandes hit a rocket of a shot to open proceedings
UEFA Champions League: Group H – Roundup
Manchester United 4-1 Istanbul Basekhir
Bruno Fernandes 7′, 19′ Denzi Turuc 75′
Marcus Rashford 35′
Daniel James 90+2′
The three-time European Champions kicked off against surprise Turkish champions, Istanbul Basekhir at Old Trafford knowing their path to knockout stages was still in their hands. A surprise and emphatic defeat last time around against their opponents had attracted fierce criticism for Solskjaer and his squad and it was imperative for them to bounce back.
Rashford’s pace was always a threat for the Turkish champions and having seen a goal disallowed earlier for offside, the English forward won a penalty 10 minutes from the end of the first half, having been bundled over in the penalty area as he headed towards the goal.
With a 3 goal lead going into the second half, it was a question of game management for the Red Devils as they looked to seal the result. Basekhir did threaten in the second half and De Gea had to be alert at his near post as Edin Visca’s shot almost sneaked in. Visca would later rattle the crossbar as well but by then the result was never in doubt.Deniz Turuc’s free-kick may have caused a few flutters as he finally broke De Gea’s resistance and for a brief while after the goal, there was a spirit of defiance by the Turkish champions.United though kept their concentration and a flowing move in the stoppage time ensured that James got the fourth and final goal for United.
The scoreline could have been skewered further by United as Greenwood’s shot was thwarted, which was the last kick of the game. United now find themselves needing a solitary point from their last 2 games to ensure their qualification for the knockout stages while Basekhir will have to win their remaining games and hope other results go their way if they are to make it out of the group.
PSG 1 : 0 RB Leipzig
Neymar 11′ (P)
An early penalty seemed to calm the nerves but thereafter it was the German side, who dominated possession and despite a barrage of shots they were unable to breach Keylor Navas in the PSG goal. Sabitzer having given away the penalty looked to make amends almost immediately. Thereafter, positive passages of play by the German side led to chances for Poulsen. Forsberg, who could have had a brace failed to hit the target and Navas was never seriously troubled. Tuchel though celebrated the win, safe in the knowledge that their fate now lies in their own hands
UEFA Champions League: Group G – Roundup
UEFA Champions League: Myrto Uzuni of Ferencvaros celebrates Ronaldo style
Juventus 2-1 Ferencvaros
Ronaldo 35′ Uzuni 19′
Morata 90+2′
Juventus dominated proceedings as expected in the second half and struck the frame of the goal twice through shots from Morata and Betancur. Ultimately Alvaro Morata grabbed the winner in the 92nd minute as his downward header ensured Juventus’s progress to the knockout stages.
Dynamo Kyiv 0: 4 Barcelona
Dest 52′
M. Braithwaite 57′, 70′
A. Griezmann 90+2′
Barcelona travelled to Kyiv with a squad depleted by injuries with Koeman choosing to leave Messi and De Jong back home and to prevent further damage. The Dutchman drafted in Martin Braithwaite and Oscar Mingueza into the first team and the duo was handed European debuts on the night as Barcelona played in their all-black kit.
Despite the wholesome changes to Barcas lineup, Kyiv was unable to take advantage. While Kyiv, did threaten on the encounter it was not a memorable half of football. Things though changed for the better as the second half got underway. Seven minutes into the second half, the US International Sergio Dest got on the scoresheet as he took the ball in his stride having started the move. The move to alter the tempo had worked for Barca and on the bench, a pleased Koeman was grinning.
Space and time which most opponents loathe giving Barca were now available as Kyiv were put on the back foot. And soon enough Braithwaite was on the score sheet turning in a corner after Mingueza had flicked it on at the near post. And the 29-year-old Danish International’s making his debut in Europe didn’t have to wait long for his second one as he dispatched a penalty to give Barca a 3-0 lead. The Dane was pushed into the back in the earlier play by Kyiv defender, Popov and there wasn’t any doubt when the penalty was awarded.
The final goal of the game came for Antoine Griezmann as he capped off a wonderful display of possession football by Barcelona. Kyiv failed to clear their lines as they sought to play down the clock, but Barca was in no mood to let go. The Frenchman applied the finish to a Jordi Alba cross to seal Barca’s qualification to the knockout stages and to forget their domestic form temporarily.