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:
Scores
- Midtjylland 0, Sporting 4 (1-5 on aggregate)
- Monaco 2, Leverkusen 3 (5-5 on aggregate and 3-5 on penalties)
- Nantes 0, Juventus 3 (1-4 on aggregate)
- PSV 2, Sevilla 0 (2-3 on aggregate)
- Manchester United 2, Barcelona 1 (4-3 on aggregate)
- Rennes 2, Shakhtar 1 (3-3 on aggregate, and 4-5 on penalties)
- Roma 2, Salzburg 0 (2-1 on aggregate)
- Union Berlin 3, Ajax 1 (3-1 on aggregate)
