BARCELONA - Barcelona fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Manchester United in a pulsating Europa League knockout round playoff first leg on Thursday.
United were the better side for large parts of the game and controlled the tempo but were denied by goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen who made three outstanding saves in the first half.
Another huge save from Marc-André ter Stegen. pic.twitter.com/2HI7Wdzm9c
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2023
LaLiga leaders Barcelona struck first, five minutes after the break, when Marcos Alonso scored with a towering header at the far post from a corner.
Remember me?!
Former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso haunts Man Utd and Barcelona are up 1-0. pic.twitter.com/JKLSgAxRc0— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2023
Marcus Rashford leveled three minutes later following a counter-attack down the left, slotting home a smart low finish between Ter Stegen and the near post.
Marcus Rashford can't stop scoring. His 11th goal of 2023. pic.twitter.com/RjPwUXf8TY
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2023
The in-form Rashford also created United’s second, sprinting into the box from a short corner and delivering a low cross into a crowded six-yard area where the ball deflected into the goal off defender Jules Koundé.
MANCHESTER UNITED TAKE THE LEAD AT THE CAMP NOU.
What a turnaround. pic.twitter.com/9cMQwvfemD— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2023
United players and manager Erik ten Hag complained strongly after what looked like a clear foul by last-man Koundé on Rashford just outside the box, an infringement that should have produced a red card for the French international.
Barcelona dug deep to grab the equalizer, however, and mistakes by United's defense gifted the ball on the edge of their box to Raphinha whose cross eluded David de Gea and went into the net.
Raphinha's cross was so good no one touched it.
This match. pic.twitter.com/8fpfAVyCUe— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 16, 2023
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed Osmond)
