André Onana played a hero’s role in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Manchester United goalkeeper saved a late penalty against FC Copenhagen, allowing coach Erik ten Hag’s team to win 1-0. Bayern Munich defeated Galatasaray 1-3.
After a beautiful tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday, at Old Trafford, Manchester United had a difficult time with FC Copenhagen. The Danes, with Kevin Diks in the starting lineup, almost took the lead in the fifth minute, but Diogo Gonçalves’ shot hit the post.
United hardly created any danger and got away well a few times, with André Onana claiming a leading role. The Cameroonian goalkeeper made a brilliant save from a long shot by Lukas Lerager just after half-time.
With Christian Eriksen in the team for Sofyan Amrabat, United became increasingly dangerous during the second half and that led to the 1-0 just twenty minutes before the end. Harry Maguire headed home from close range from a beautiful cross from Eriksen.
Manchester United seemed to have won their first win in the group stage, but deep into injury time Copenhagen were awarded a penalty after a foul by Scott McTominay. Onana then became an Old Trafford hero by stopping the penalty from Jordan Larsson, the son of former United player Henrik Larsson.
Thanks to the victory, Manchester United takes third place from FC Copenhagen. Bayern Munich is comfortably in the lead in group A and is five points ahead of number two Galatasaray.
Summary: Manchester United win because Onana saves a penalty deep into stoppage time
Much-discussed Mazraoui wins with Bayern
Earlier in the evening, Bayern started the away match against Galatasaray strongly and ‘Der Rekordmeister’ opened the score in the eighth minute. Kingsley Coman pushed the ball into a free-standing position in the left corner after a good action by Leroy Sané.
Galatasaray was not upset by the early goal and immediately looked for the equalizer. Kerem Aktürkoglu came close twice, but he first collided with goalkeeper Sven Ulreich and moments later shot over in front of an open goal.
Lucas Torreira also just missed scoring, but after half an hour of play it was scored for Galatasaray. The Turks were awarded a penalty after a foul by Joshua Kimmich on Icardi, after which the Argentinian took advantage of the opportunity with a panenka.
Galatasaray and Bayern then failed to take the necessary opportunities, until Harry Kane gave the Germans the lead more than fifteen minutes before the end. The Englishman tapped in from close range on a pass from Jamal Musiala. Moments later the roles were reversed and Musiala made it 1-3 from a Kane cross, which decided the game.
For Bayern, Noussair Mazraoui played until twelve minutes before the end and Matthijs de Ligt completed the ninety minutes. Mazraoui had a turbulent week in which he was discredited by posting a pro-Palestinian message. Hakim Ziyech came on for Galatasaray fifteen minutes before the end.
Stand groep A
- Bayern München 3-9 (+4)
- Galatasaray 3-4 (-1)
- Manchester United 3-3 (-1)
- FC Kopenhagen 3-1 (-2)
The post first appeared on www.nu.nl