United’s VAR pen seals historic Champions League knock out comeback

Manchester United became the first team in Champions League history to qualify for the next round having lost the first leg of a knockout match at home by two or more goals.

RASH’S FIRST PENALTY FOR UNITED

Lukaku celebrated Rashford’s penalty in front of Di Maria. I love it. 🐍🐍🐍🐍pic.twitter.com/INcDA7bIAL— Red Devil Bible (@RedDevilBible) March 6, 2019

Marcus Rashford’s VAR-awarded stoppage-time penalty fired Manchester United into the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals after a sensational 3-1 victory (3-3 on agg) stunned Paris Saint-Germain.

Presnel Kimpembe was penalised for handball in the final minute as referee Damir Skomina ruled he had blocked Diogo Dalot’s shot with his arm, and Rashford held his nerve to hammer his first penalty for the club home to seal one of the most remarkable European results in United’s history.

Romelu Lukaku’s first-half double gave United hope of overturning PSG’s two-goal first-leg lead but they looked set to narrowly miss out as Juan Bernat’s strike in between the Belgian’s efforts had Ligue 1 champions in front on aggregate and in control.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury-plagued side – which featured youngsters Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong in the closing stages – roared back in the most dramatic fashion to become the first side in Champions League history to win a tie after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals.

A FIRST

⚽ | PSG 0 – 1 Man Utd

Man Utd are on a bright start after Romelu Lukaku being too fast and strong for the covering defender, goes around Gigi Buffon and slides it into an open goal from a tight angle. #PSGMUN

pic.twitter.com/tKFHEnZluB— Crown FM Asaba (@crownfmasaba) March 6, 2019

United got off to a start Solskjaer could have only dreamed of as Lukaku intercepted Thilo Kehrer’s backpass and rounded Gianluigi Buffon to put the visitors ahead inside two minutes.

Romelu Lukaku’s first goal after 111 seconds was Man Utd’s fastest in a Champions League knockout match since Wayne Rooney scored after 63 seconds against Bayern Munich in March 2010.

UNDONE DOMINANCE

⚽ | PSG 1 – 2 Man Utd

PSG’s away goals have been cancelled. It’s a shocker from Buffon. Rashford takes on a shot from 30 yards. Hits it, it swerves and lands on a greasy pitch about six yards in front of Buffon.

It’s a tap in for Lukaku #PSGMUN

pic.twitter.com/LO5LVTLuHA— Crown FM Asaba (@crownfmasaba) March 6, 2019

Hosts‘ dominance was undone on the half hour as they gifted United a second, the wet conditions playing their part as Rashford’s dipping 25-yard strike was spilled by Buffon into the path of Lukaku, who needed no invitation to double his tally.

PSG were denied a sensational second on 56 minutes that would have put the tie beyond United, Di Maria’s lob over De Gea chalked off after VAR confirmed the Argentine was offside when receiving Mbappe’s audacious backheeled through pass that nutmegged Chris Smalling.

THE DRAMA

Inject it into my veins, Dalot FC pic.twitter.com/rBNDXQqSTM— ManUnitedZone (@ManUnitedZone_) March 7, 2019

Then came the drama. Dalot’s hopeful shot from 25 yards looked to have been deflected behind for a corner off Kimpembe – who scored PSG’s opener in the first leg – until referee Skomina was advised to refer to VAR.

After a lengthy consultation, he pointed to the spot and Rashford thundered his spot-kick past Buffon to complete the most remarkable turnaround in recent Champions League history.

Marcus Rashford’s winning penalty from the stands. I f**king love this game. pic.twitter.com/rWpLIvlXHV— Red Devil Bible (@RedDevilBible) March 6, 2019

Ole really sent psg packing with Chong Dalot Fred and Greenwood pic.twitter.com/QGwKOT26dn— kenna (@kennagq) March 6, 2019

Marcus Rashford’s winning penalty was the first he has ever taken in a competitive match for Manchester United.