Manchester United vs Barcelona LIVE result: Europa League reaction after Antony completes thrilling comeback
Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 on aggregate): The hosts trailed at Old Trafford thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s penalty but goals from Fred and Antony turned the tie around once again
Manchester United produced a second-half comeback to defeat Barcelona FC and advance to the last-16 of the Europa League on a thrilling night at Old Trafford.
With the tie between two of European football’s heavyweights in the balance following a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp last week, Robert Lewandowski fired Barcelona into the lead after converting a controversial penalty - despite a hand from David de Gea.
But Erik ten Hag made a crucial change at half time - replacing Wout Weghorst with Antony - and United improved immediately, with Fred firing in the equaliser from a smart touch shortly after the break.
And it was Antony who struck on 73 minutes to turn the tie around for United, with the Brazilian finishing a first-time shot into the corner to take the roof off Old Trafford.
Follow all the reaction after Manchester United defeated Barcelona in the Europa League play-offs:
Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play at Old Trafford. Can Man Utd see out this game or is there a way back for Barcelona?
Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
88 mins: Erik ten Hag must think his team can see this one out now. Marcus Rashford has been taken off with Scott McTominay brought on to shore up the midfield.
Two minutes of the 90 left to go.
Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
85 mins: There’s a rue smile on the referee’s face as Robert Lewandowski gets around Lisandro Martinez before being dragged to the deck by a cynical Casemiro.
The Man Utd midfielder knows it’s a yellow card offence and nods as he’s put in the book.
Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
82 mins: Ronald Araujo goes off for Barca with Marcos Alonso brought on. It’s a defender for defender swap but Alonso is more attacking minded.
Barcelona need to pull something out of the bag here. Time is running away from them.
Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
79 mins: Raphinha has gone off for Barcelona with Ansu Fati brought on. This has been another brilliant game and there’s still 10 minutes or so left to play.
Alejandro Garnacho fouls Jules Kounde on Barcelona’s right wing and earns himself a yellow card. Ferran Torres whips the set piece into the middle but Raphael Varane gets highest and nods it away.
Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg)
76 mins: Rather bizarrely this is the same scoring sequence as the first leg. Barcelona took the lead before United equalised and took the lead.
The Spainsh side earned themselves an equaliser last week, can they do so again tonight?
GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 Barcelona (4-3 agg) - Antony, 73'⚽️
73 mins: Turnaround! Erik ten Hag’s substitutes have worked!
A long ball comes down the left side and Luke Shaw sprints up the pitch to keep it in play. He backheels it to Bruno Fernandes who feeds the ball inside to Alejandro Garnacho.
His shot is blocked and bounces to Fred. Fred has a go but the rebound takes it to Antony. On the third Man Utd effort, Antony smokes a low shot across the box and nestles it into the bottom corner.
Wonderful finish. Man Utd lead!
Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)
70 mins: Former Manchester City man Ferran Torres is met with a chorus of boos as he replaces Sergi Roberto for Barcelona. This game is finely balanced with 20 minutes to go.
We’re getting to the stage that any goal is a potential winner.
Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)
67 mins: Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho are brought on now to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho. Garnacho has already had a few impressive moments for United this season. Has he got another one in his locker tonight?
Man Utd 1-1 Barcelona (3-3 agg)
64 mins: Save! Jules Kounde makes a sneaky run in behind Jadon Sancho on the right side for Barcelona and meets the ball when Frenkie De Jong lifts it into the box.
Kounde’s header is dipping under the bar but De Gea leaps across and palms it over the top. Great save!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments