💫 Late penalty drama for Man Utd; Arsenal, Real Madrid & Napoli survive | OneFootball

💫 Late penalty drama for Man Utd; Arsenal, Real Madrid & Napoli survive | OneFootball

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Emily Wilson·24 October 2023

💫 Late penalty drama for Man Utd; Arsenal, Real Madrid & Napoli survive

Article image:💫 Late penalty drama for Man Utd; Arsenal, Real Madrid & Napoli survive

More Champions League drama returned on Tuesday with some key results all around.

Here is what went down.


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Late drama as Onana saves United

Scorer: Maguire 72′

Two big names stepped up as Erik ten Hag’s side avoided four consecutive UCL defeats with a slim victory over Copenhagen.

The visitors stood strong in the opening 45 minutes and had an early effort hit the woodwork before frustrating the hosts. Clinical finishing was absent, though Manchester United had slightly better opportunities.

A surging run from Sofyan Amrabat found Antony, and the Brazilian brought Rasmus Hojlund into the play but the Dane’s backheel wasn’t directed home by Scott McTominay. The Scotland international then sent a header over the bar.

Copenhagen came out flying in the second half, and Lukas Lerager forced Andre Onana into a diving save before Elias Achouri’s volley went over the bar.

And with their backs up against the wall, Harry Maguire headed home a late winner with his first goal for the club since February 2022.

Late drama ensued when McTominay conceded a stoppage-time penalty by Onana dove correctly to save United.

The result means United finally picked up points this campaign and sit third in Group A behind Bayern and Galatasaray while Copenhagen are fourth.


Arsenal win thriller in Seville

Scorers: Gudelj 58′; Martinelli 45+4′, Jesus 53′

Arsenal bounced back in Europe thanks to a dynamic performance from Gabriel Jesus against persistent Sevilla.

After a nervy opening half, the first goal arrived just before the break when Gabriel Martinelli split two Sevilla defenders and rounded the goalkeeper before tapping home.

It could have been oh-so different for the hosts, though. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya gave away the ball at the back, but Lucas Ocampos couldn’t capitalize while Youssef En-Nesyri sent an effort wide just before the opener.

An incredibly in-form Gabriel Jesus (whose close control skills teed up Martinelli), then doubled the lead after the break by beating Jesus Navas for pace and struck the ball perfectly into the far right corner.

Minutes later, a towering Nemanja Gudelj pulled one back for the hosts to keep the pressure on before Mariano Diaz saw an equaliser fall just short.

The slim win means Arsenal sit top of Group B above Lens while Sevilla are third above PSV.


Bellingham brilliance again for Madrid

Scorers: Djaló 63′; Rodrygo 16′, Bellingham 61′

Serial competition winners Real Madrid made the trip to Portugal and maintained their perfect record thanks to their star signing.

All eyes were naturally on Jude Bellingham, but it was a different name who opened the scoring. Vinicius’ trademark speed teed up Rodrygo from point-blank range to finally end his goal drought after 12 games.

Bellingham then proved to be the hero after the break when his slow roller from the edge of the box doubled the lead.

Carlo Ancelotti will be happy he scored yet again, too, as Álvaro Djaló erased Kepa’s clean sheet immediately after from close range, but Madrid held on.

The result means Los Blancos are three wins from three in Group C while Braga are third.


Napoli edge past unlucky Union

Scorer: Raspadori 65′

Napoli managed to scrape past Union Berlin in Germany thanks to one sharp moment.

The unlucky hosts (who fell short in their first two matches this season) thought they had opened the scoring through Janik Haberer near the half-hour mark, but the goal was ruled offside.

Both teams struggled to hit the target as time went on yet the visitors were the ones pulling the strings.

Napoli eventually broke the deadlock when Giacomo Raspadori was left wide open in the box and slammed home Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cutback. The Georgian’s return to top form has arrived at the perfect time for the Serie A side.

Looking at Group C, Napoli are second behind Real Madrid while Union are last.


Real Sociedad pile misery on Benfica

Scorer: Méndez 63′

The miserable UCL season continues for Portuguese giants Benfica after a loss at home to Real Sociedad.

It took until the hour mark for the deadlock to break when Brais Méndez stabbed home a short cross into the box for his third competition goal in as many games.

The result means Benfica still have zero points, while it’s a goal that sends Sociedad top of Group D level on points with Inter.


Lens stumble against PSV

Scorers: Wahi 65′; Bakayoko 54′

Lens had to fight back against bottom-side PSV Eindhoven to maintain their unbeaten record this campaign.

The visitors opened the scoring after the break when Johan Bakayoko found the net with a curler from outside the box.

At 20 years old and 187 days, he is the youngest goal scorer for the Dutch side in the competition since Jefferson Farfán in October 2004 (19 years and 360 days).

The hosts, however, then pulled themselves back into the game via Elye Wahi’s acrobatic finish from point-blank range, which proved to be enough for one point.

Looking at Group B, Lens sit second behind Arsenal while PSV remain at the bottom.


Earlier results…

Late Kane drama saves Bayern in Turkey

Scorers: Icardi 30′ (P); Coman 8′, Kane 72′

Thoms Tuchel’s injury-hit Bayern Munich maintained their perfect run after a gritty win over Galatasaray.

An in-form Kingsley Coman opened the scoring with a slow roller into the left corner from inside the box. Galatasaray, however, immediately suggested they wouldn’t go down easily and took control.

Sven Ulreich was called into action a handful of times, and then a clumsy challenge from Joshua Kimmich handed the hosts a lifeline. Mauro Icardi stepped and scored a cheeky Panenka to equalise.

There were a lot of puzzled faces and frustration for Bayern while Galatasaray glided past their opponents with proper threats. Yet in the end, Tuchel’s side retained enough energy and struck two late goals when the hosts took a slight breather.

Harry Kane turned things around after he made the most of an initially scuffed effort and scored from point-blank range before teeing up Jamal Musiala for a third just over five minutes later. The summer signing now has 11 goals in 12 games for the club.

Looking at the table, Bayern lead Group A with three wins from three while Galatasaray are second.


Inter scrape by RB Salzburg

Scorers: Sanchez 20, Çalhanoğlu 64′ (P)’; Gloukh 57′

Inter moved as clear leaders of Group D after a slim victory over RB Salzburg.

After earning a starting role, Alexis Sanchez repaid his manager by starting and finishing a team move for the opener. He slammed the ball home at the back post with his first goal for the club since returning.

However, Inter’s inability to pile on the goals allowed the visitors back in after the break.

Roko Šimić cushioned down a ball over the top, found Maurits Kjærgaard, and the 20-year-old laid it off to Oscar Gloukh, who stunned goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

But it didn’t last long as a sloppy challenge on Davide Frattesi handed Inter, which Hakan Çalhanoğlu converted. All seven of his competition goals have come at home, (the most out players with such a 100% record, alongside Dennis Bergkamp).

Lautaro Martinez later thought he scored a third, but the goal was ruled out for offside as Inter scraped by. They now sit second behind Real Sociedad, while Salzburg are third.


And the action continues tomorrow!