The most star-studded fixture in Europa League history lived up to expectations. At least for half a game.
Barcelona and Manchester United played 2-2 after the second half in which everything happened in the goal.
Which means it’s completely open to coming back next week.
It must be a little stormy off the field right now.
But on the pitch, FC Barcelona did really well after the World Cup break.
Eight consecutive wins in the competition. Eleven if you count victories also in overtime or penalties. The last time they lost? October 26 last year against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The unbeaten streak is still alive after 2-2 in Thursday’s Europa League match against Manchester United. But it was too late after the second half of a very swinging nature.
Fourth consecutive game with a goal for Rashford
When defender Marcos Alonso threw his hands in the air after a 1-0 header, Barcelona had their dream start in the second half after a goalless first draw. A goal he dedicated to his recently deceased father, also a former Barcelona star, Marcos Alonso Peña.
However, that lead only lasted a few minutes before Marcus Rashford, after a superb United attack, clinically scored to make it 1-1 at the far post.
A goal doesn’t just mean a draw – it means the in-form England player has now scored in four consecutive competitive matches for United.
Ravenha got the last word
It was also Rashford who set up Jules Conde’s own goal 1-2 a few more minutes later, as he beat Ravenha and headed in a low cross in the 59th minute.
But the last word will still go to the Catalans – and the recently mentioned Ravens. Of course, his post was not supposed to be in the end quarter. But there was an end – at the end, too.
Brasen’s 2-2 goal was the last of the game – although both teams had winning chances in the end. Particularly perhaps Barcelona, who created one and two decision chances just a few minutes earlier.
Disturbing pictures of Pedri
There were other reasons for Barcelona’s anger after Thursday’s 2-2 draw.
At the end of the first half, star midfielder Pedri, 20, was forced off the field with an injury. This is after he sat seemingly undisturbed on the grass and grabbed the back of his thigh.
A key player that Barcelona will no doubt want to do without in their imminent comeback at Old Trafford next week.