Home » Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: Thriller at Camp Nou

Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: Thriller at Camp Nou

An exhilarating encounter from start to finish with four goals, the Europa League playoffs 1st leg ended all square in Catalan.

Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United: Thriller at Camp Nou as Marcus Rashford’s stunning performance was not enough for a victory at Europa League play-off 1st leg.

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Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United Highlights

It was a game that almost decided by individuals, with Rashford’s brilliant show, Ter Stegen and De Gea masterclasses and a fine-form day for Raphinha.

First half was uneventful but Barca lost Pedri to an injury, while no team could score despite creating chances.

The second half was much more entertaining with four goals scored. Raphinha was the one who assisted for Alonso to head home the opener, early after the game restarted.

Then it was Rashford who took the spotlight, scored the equalizer and was mainly in charged of the second goal to complete the comeback.

Fred put a nice through ball forward and played in Rashford, who blasted past Ter Stegen at his near post to keep his hot streak going.

The Man United man scored his 22nd goal of the season – matching his best tally for a single campaign.

Before the hour-mark, Rashford’s quick feet led to the second goal as Jules Kounde putting into his own net.

25-year-old Rashford was driving into the box and delivering a cross that went in off Kounde after Fernandes flicked it on.

Barca hit back, thanks to an impressive show by Raphinha as the Brazilian scored the equalizer in the 76th minute with his low-range but powerful cross beating De Gea.

Two goalkeepers took turn to pull out fine saves

Wout Weghorst was played clean through by Bruno Fernandes in the first big opening of the game but was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was also equal to Casemiro’s header.

Catalan’s club Ter Stegen kept out Rashford’s outside of the boot finish, while Man United De Gea stopped Jordi Alba’s effort and Rapinha’s long-range superb shoot in style.

Alonso opened the scoring four minutes into the second half, losing his marker and heading in Raphinha’s corner, but the visitors swiftly levelled.

Barca went particularly close to finding a late winner as Casemiro hit his own post amid a scramble, before De Gea denied Ansu Fati in a gripping conclusion.

Earlier, Barca players were angry to see a penalty appeal rejected for a possible handball against Fred.

Rashford at his best

After the World Cup, the English striker seemed to be unstoppable.

He scored 14 goals in all competitions for his club, which is at least four more than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues (Karim Benzema has 10).

Key Opta facts

• Manchester United have scored in each of their last 19 away games in all European competition (36 goals in total), since a 0-0 draw at AZ in October 2019.
• Barcelona have conceded nine goals in five home games in European and cup competition this season, compared to just one goal in 10 LaLiga matches at Camp Nou.
• Barcelona’s Raphinha has been involved in five goals in his four appearances against Manchester United in all competitions, scoring two and assisting three.
• This was the fourth time Raphinha has both scored and assisted in a match for Barcelona this season, more than any other LaLiga player in all competitions.
• Barcelona are unbeaten in all six of their home games against Manchester United (W3 D3), with these matches seeing an average of 3.2 goals per game (19 – 14 for Barcelona, 5 for Man Utd).

Next up at Old Trafford

A week from now, the pair will clash again, this time the venue is Old Trafford. Barca may found themselves in crisis as Gavi (suspension) and Pedri (injured) will miss out.

Meanwhile, Man United will have their Lisandro Martinez back in the back-four.