Barcelona and Man Utd all-square after Champions League thriller

Friday, 17 February 2023 04:43

By Reuters/ARN News Staff

The eagerly anticipated UEFA Europa League first leg of the knockout play-off round between FC Barcelona and Manchester United F.C. ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving all to be decided in the second leg.

The first half ended goalless at the Camp Nou stadium.

The second half saw Barcelona go ahead with a Marcos Alonso goal in the 50th minute, but a spirited Manchester United side responded with two goals scored by Marcus Rashford in the 53rd minute, and an own-goal by Barca's Jules Conde in the 59th minute.

Fifteen minutes before the final whistle Raphinha equalised for Barca to seal the duel between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Juventus's disappointing season continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nantes in the home leg of their Europa League playoff tie.

Juventus have picked up just one win from six Champions League group matches to drop into the Europa League playoffs and after also being deducted 15 Serie A points for financial irregularities their fans have endured a miserable campaign.

In other matches in the same round, Red Bull Salzburg defeated Roma 1-0 while Shakhtar Donetsk beat Rennes 2-1 and Ajax and Union Berlin finished 0-0.

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