AC Milan defender Simon Kjær scored in harm time Thursday to safe a 1-1 draw at Manchester United within the first leg of the Europa League’s spherical of 16.
Kjær capitalized on poor defending to go in a nook within the 92nd minute to offer the Italian aspect a slight benefit forward of the second leg subsequent week.
Roma, Tottenham, Arsenal and Ajax all put one foot into the quarterfinals with snug wins. But the assembly of two former European heavyweights stays evenly poised.
United took the lead after 18-year-old substitute Amad Diallo scored his first European purpose simply 5 minutes after approaching. But the house workforce was disorganized for Rade Krunić’s late nook and goalkeeper Dean Henderson was unable to maintain out Kjær’s thumping header.
AC Milan’s supervisor Stefano Pioli, left, and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in the course of the Europa League spherical of 16 first leg match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
“We should have attacked the ball with the men we had there,” United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær stated.
Milan had two early targets dominated out at Old Trafford. Rafael Leão was offside within the fifth minute, whereas Franck Kessié displayed sensible approach to attain within the eleventh solely to see the purpose chalked off by way of VAR because the ball had struck his arm.
The guests remained in management till United captain Harry Maguire someway struck the submit from point-blank vary with the purpose at his mercy after Bruno Fernandes headed on a nook within the thirty eighth.
Fernandes was United’s key participant, offering a lofted ball excessive for Amad to go within the opener within the fiftieth minute.
KANE DELIVERS
Harry Kane scored twice to place Tottenham in a commanding place with a 2-0 dwelling win over Dinamo Zagreb.
The England striker transformed a rebound after Erik Lamela’s effort hit the submit within the twenty fifth, and wrapped up the win within the seventieth. Kévin Théophile-Catherine did not cope with Serge Aurier’s cross leaving Kane to attain with a low end.
ARSENAL COMFORTABLE
Mohamed Elneny put Arsenal in touching distance of the quarterfinals by sealing a 3-1 win over Olympiakos in Greece.
Martin Ødegaard opened the scoring with a thunderous long-range strike within the thirty fourth however the guests missed additional probabilities within the first half.
Youssef El-Arabi capitalized on poor move from Arsenal ’keeper Bernd Leno to equalize within the 58th.
Gabriel restored the guests’ lead within the eightieth with a header, 5 minutes earlier than Elneny made certain of the win when the house aspect failed to shut him down and he let fly from exterior the penalty space.
FANS IN THE STANDS
Spanish workforce Villarreal beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in Ukraine regardless of a number of thousand vocal followers being allowed into the sport.
Gerard Moreno arrange defender Pau Torres to attain after the house workforce did not clear a nook within the thirtieth minute, and was concerned once more for the second. Villarreal captain Raúl Albiol scored on the rebound within the 52nd after Georgiy Bushchan saved Gerard’s header.
OTHER GAMES
Stephan El Shaarawy scored his first purpose for Roma since returning to the membership in January, serving to the Italian workforce to a 3-0 win over visiting Shakhtar Donetsk.
Scottish champion Rangers drew 1-1 at Slavia Prague, and Ajax eased to a 3-0 win at dwelling over Swiss workforce Young Boys.
Modest Spanish membership Granada earned a 2-0 win over Norwegian minnow Molde, which had Martin Ellingsen despatched off with two bookings halfway by way of the second half.
