Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United took a giant step towards the final 16 of the Europa League with a 4-0 “away” win over Spanish crew Real Sociedad in Italy on Thursday.
The first leg was performed in Turin, certainly one of numerous video games relocated away from their authentic venues as a consequence of coronavirus-related journey restrictions from sure nations affecting groups from Britain.
Portugal’s Benfica needed to host Arsenal in Rome, the place Bukayo Saka’s away objective put the Premier League aspect in place with a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham defeated Austrian crew Wolfsberg 4-1 in Budapest, Hungary.
Germany’s Hoffenheim was additionally affected by pandemic-related journey restrictions.
Hoffenheim’s recreation with Norwegian aspect Molde was performed at Villarreal’s stadium in Spain, whereas Villarreal beat Salzburg 2-0 in Austria.
Hoffenheim ahead Munas Dabbur scored two targets, arrange one other, after which missed a penalty earlier than Molde got here again from two targets down to attract 3-3.
UNITED FLYING
Fernandes had Sociedad’s protection to thank for his first objective within the twenty seventh, when two defenders collided with their very own goalkeeper, leaving him free to attain into an empty web. He then completed off a fast counterattack to make it 2-0 within the 57th. Fernandes let Marcus Rashford’s cross go behind him to Daniel James, then obtained the ball again and fired inside the suitable submit.
Rashford added the third within the sixty fourth and James accomplished the scoring within the final minute.
United is taking part in within the Europa League for the third time in 5 seasons, a drop for a membership as soon as thought to be a continental heavyweight.
BALE’S BOW
Gareth Bale reminded his detractors of his qualities as he scored one objective and arrange one other for Tottenham.
The Wales ahead, again at Tottenham on mortgage from Real Madrid to the tip of the season, minimize the ball again for Son Heung-min to open the scoring within the thirteenth, earlier than he illustrated why Madrid paid Tottenham a report switch charge for his companies in 2013.
Bale confirmed Matt Doherty precisely the place he needed the ball, outpaced Jonathan Scherzer to succeed in it, then stopped to depart the Wolfsberg defender sprawling, earlier than curling a strong shot previous goalkeeper Alexander Kofler together with his left boot.
Bale has been struggling in his second spell at Tottenham, making simply seven Premier League appearances. He not too long ago irked Jose Mourinho for posting “Good session today” on Instagram with the Tottenham coach saying there was “ a contradiction between the post and the reality.”
Lucas Moura eluded numerous defenders to make it 3-0 within the thirty fourth.
A penalty from Michael Liendl gave the Austrians some hope within the second half, however Vinicius, who had come on through the break for Son, scored from shut vary within the 88th.
Wolfsberg is taking part in for the primary time within the knockout phases of a European competitors.
LATE DRAMA
Ajax left it late to beat Lille 2-1 in France, the place United States ahead Timothy Weah opened the scoring for Lille within the 72nd.
It was Weah’s second objective within the competitors. The 20-year-old ahead is the son of former Milan nice George Weah, the present president of Liberia.
Renato Sanches gave away a penalty for a foul on Nicolas Tagliafico, and Dusan Tadic equalized from the spot within the 87th, two minutes earlier than the 19-year-old Brian Brobbey scored the winner.
A final-minute penalty from Borna Barisic, his second of the sport, gave Rangers a 4-3 win at Belgian crew Antwerp.
Milan Pavkov scored in damage time for Red Star Belgrade to attract 2-2 in opposition to visiting AC Milan.
LEVERKUSEN UNREWARDED
Bayer Leverkusen fought again from three targets down on the break in opposition to Young Boys, earlier than Jordan Siebatcheu scored within the 89th to offer the Swiss crew a 4-3 win.
“We showed we’re a team in the second half,” Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah stated. “It’s disappointing and such a shame to lose in the end.”
The German crew is used to disappointment, mockingly referred to as “Bayer Neverkusen” by rival supporters for sometimes ending runner-up.
NAPOLI UPSET
Two targets in two minutes from Brazilian ahead Kenedy and Venezuelan midfielder Yangel Herrera gave Spanish aspect Granada a stunning 2-0 win over Napoli.
Shakhtar Donetsk gained 2-0 at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv drew 1-1 with Club Brugge, Leicester drew 0-0 at Slavia Prague, Roma gained 2-0 at Sporting Braga, Dinamo Zagreb beat Russian crew Krasnodar 3-2 away, and Olympiakos earned a 4-2 win at residence over PSV Eindhoven.
