Neymar and Marquinhos scored for the French Champions.
Manchester United hosted PSG tonight in their penultimate Champions League group stage match. Last time the two teams faced, Manchester United produced a shock result as they beat the French champions 2-1. This time, there would be no such upset as the attacking quality of PSG shone through.
Tonight’s result means there are now 3 teams on 9 points all fighting for a knockout round spot. All will be decided next week as the teams play each other for the last time in the group stage.
The most interesting fixture is undoubtedly Manchester United vs. Leipzig, both teams being on 9 points. Manchester United came out on top the last time they met as they hammered 5 past the German side. Leipzig have shown they are certainly no pushovers since though. An impressive win over PSG and two over İstanbul Başakşehir have propelled Leipzig up the table.
PSG also face İstanbul Başakşehir in their final fixture. Realistically, they should win and claim a knockout spot but nothing is concrete in football.
It was the French side who drew first blood tonight and they wasted no time in doing so. Who else but Neymar scored in the 5th minute to give his side the lead. The goal came after Kylian Mbappe easily beat Scott McTominay on his way to goal before his shot was deflected into the path of Neymar. He wasn’t going to miss as he tapped in from close range.
There was a contentious decision made around the 20-minute mark after Fred pushed his head towards Leandro Parades. VAR had a look at the incident and called referee Daniele Orsato over to have a look. In a surprising twist, the referee only branded a yellow card. Surprising given that Nicolas Pépé was sent off for a similar offence just weeks ago in the Premier League.
Manchester United got their equalizer not long after the controversial decision. Marcus Rashford scored against PSG in the initial meeting between the two sides and he done the same again tonight with a goal in the 32nd minute. His shot from the edge of the box deflected off Danilo Pereira and into the net. Tonight marked Rashford’s 6th goal in just 5 Champions League game so far this season.
The first half ended 1-1 with the tie firmly in the balance.
Manchester United had a golden opportunity to take the lead just minutes after the first half. There was some fantastic link-up play from Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford before the latter slipped the ball into Anthony Martial. The Frenchman then blasted over the bar from close range, however.
Edinson Cavani contributed to 3 goals during the weekend and he very nearly put United in the lad with 56 minutes gone. The Uruguayan was through on goal after being slipped in but with defenders closing in on him, he opted to chip from outside the box. He was almost rewarded for his innovation as the ball went over the keeper but clipped the bar. Bruno Fernandes collected the rebound before passing to Martial who had his shot blocked by a PSG defender.
Manchester United were firmly in control for much of the opening period of the second half but Marquinhos should have opened the scoreline for PSG in the 63rd minute. The defender was left unmarked at the far post after a good passage of play but his header only managed to find the crossbar before going out for a goal kick. He really should have hit the target, at least.
PSG were starting to get back into the game after a period of Manchester United domination. Mitchell Bakker had a chance to put PSG ahead after being put through by Neymar but his shot was spectacularly saved by David De Gea. The resulting corner, however, did result in a PSG goal. Marquinhos put his side ahead and after some deliberation from VAR the goal stood.
Things went from bad to worse from United just moments after as Fred was sent to the changing room. His frustration showed as he went lunging in with a slide tackle and although he won the ball, the referee deemed the challenge reckless. He was sent off after collecting his second yellow.
The sending off didn’t seem to affect United all that much as they had a series of half chances after the fact. They did, however, fail to turn those chances into goals. Neymar ended any chance of a Manchester United come back as he tapped in from a Rafinha pull back with just minutes remaining.
The match finished 2-1 to PSG on a disappointing night for Manchester United.
The away side take all three points.#MUFC #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) DECEMBER 2, 2020
