Goals: Manchester United- Barcelona-Played on 02/23/ 2023
Manchester United ended Barcelona’s European dreams this season, after defeating them on Thursday evening at Old Trafford (2-1), to advance the Red Devils to the final price of the European League.
Barcelona took the lead first through Robert Lewandowski from a penalty kick in the 18th minute, before Manchester United came from behind to win with two goals through Brazilian duo Fred (47) and Anthony (73).
The first-leg match between the two teams in the knockout round qualifying for the final price ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last Thursday.
Thus, Barcelona’s dreams of winning any European title this season evaporated, after it bid farewell to the European League, in which it participated after finishing third in its Champions League group.
Manchester United almost took the lead in the third minute, when Brazilian Casemiro sent a long ball into the penalty area to Bruno Fernandez, who in turn hit a ball that was blocked by German goalkeeper Ter Stegen.
The game continued, arguing between the two teams until the referee awarded a penalty kick to the guests after left-back Alejandro Balde was caught inside the area by Fernandez, and Lewandowski successfully executed the kick to the left of goalkeeper David De Gea in the 18th minute.
Manchester United wanted to compensate quickly, so Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez passed to Fernandez, who, despite Baldi’s annoyance, hit Ter Stegen in the 23rd minute.
United continued their pressure, as Casemiro directed a long ball to his compatriot Fred, whose strange shot passed over the goal, although his intention was to cross it in the 36th minute.
Casemiro saved Manchester United from a second goal in the last seconds of the first half, when he brilliantly deflected Frank Casey’s shot after a pass from Sergi Roberto.
Manchester United made a substitution between the two halves, as Figurst, who was the least player in the two teams touching the ball in the first half, came out to replace the Brazilian winger Anthony.
Manchester United’s start to the second half was noisy, as it managed to equalize in the 47th minute when Fred received a pass from Fernandez, stormed the penalty area, and hit a creeping ball to the left of the German goalkeeper.
Rashford exchanged the ball with Anthony before firing a shot that rebounded from Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the 53rd minute, and two minutes later goalkeeper Ter Stegen controlled a long-range shot from Anthony.
Barcelona almost regained its lead in the 64th minute, when Baldi sent a cross from the left, so that his colleague Jules Conde slipped from behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and followed it with his head, but goalkeeper De Gea brilliantly turned it into a corner, through which the ball reached Casey, who fired a low shot that controlled On it the guard.
Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho entered the United squad instead of Wan-Bissaka and Sancho, so United liberated attackingly, and was able to score the lead in the 73rd minute, when Garnacho and Fred’s shots rebounded from the defense before the ball reached the right side to Anthony, who hit the ball directly with his right, away from ranger’s reach.
Manchester United was dangerous with its quick counter-attacks in the last quarter of an hour, and the ball reached Rashford on the right side, to advance it and hit the side net from the outside in the 79th minute.
Manchester United was careful in the final minutes, by taking out Rashford and involving midfielder Scott McTominay, and defender Raphael Varane pushed Lewandowski’s ball away before it crossed the goal line in stoppage time.
