Manchester United settled its position with its Spanish guest, Barcelona, with a 2-1 victory, to qualify for the final price of the European Football League, “Europa League”, on Thursday.
And after they got used to the lights of the Champions League, which brought them together twice in the final in 2009 and 2011, when Barcelona emerged victorious, the two giants found themselves battling for the ticket to qualify for the final price of the “Europa League” as a result of the Catalan club coming third in its group in the Champions League and United second in its group in the European League.
The first chapter of this match ended in a 2-2 draw, so that the decision would be Thursday at Old Trafford, United’s stronghold. Brazilian Anthony had the final word by scoring the second goal in the 73rd minute, giving United its first continental victory over the “Blaugrana” since the second leg of the 2007 season semi-final. 2008 when he won 1-0 on his way to the title.
United, who occupies third place in the domestic league, 3 points behind leaders Arsenal, confirmed once again that it is able to go far under the leadership of its new coach, Dutchman Eric Ten Hag, who awaits him the opportunity to crown the first Sunday in the League Cup final against Newcastle, ending the series of consecutive matches for the leaders of the Spanish League from unbeaten at 18.
And after a start in favor of United, who was close to opening the scoring through his Portuguese captain Bruno Fernandez, the latter turned from a hero into a villain for causing a penalty kick after dropping Alex Baldi in the forbidden area, so the Polish Robert Lewandowski approached her and hit it with some hesitation, allowing the Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea to touch The ball, but did not prevent it from entering his net (18).
De Gea almost removed the penalty kick that Leva hit, to give Barcelona the lead goal # European_League # Barcelona_Manchester United pic.twitter.com/xjLdcr0mlW
- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 23, 2023
Leva raised its tally to 25 goals in 30 matches played this season in Barcelona's colors in all competitions, registering 25 goals or more for the twelfth consecutive season, according to Opta football statistics.
Through Fernandez and the Brazilians Fred and Rafinha, United tried to return to the match, but without success, so the first half ended with Barcelona's lead.
But the "Red Devils" struck at the beginning of the second half and equalized after Barcelona's defensive confusion and the loss of the ball from Ivory Coast's Frank Kessier, and it reached Fernandes, who in turn passed it to Farid, so the latter fired it with his right to the left of German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (47).
Lewandowski does not believe defeat and exit from the European League (Getty Images)
United continued its advantage, but the most dangerous opportunity was for its guest with a header by Frenchman Jules Conde. De Gea shone in blocking it (64), before Anthony succeeded in snatching the lead for the Ten Hag team with a third attempt on the Catalan goal, after the first two rebounds from the defense through the Argentine Spaniard Alejandro Garnacho, then Fred before The ball fell in front of Anthony, who fired it beautifully into the net (73).