A night of Champions League history for Cristiano Ronaldo ended up in a stunning turnover as Switzerland side Young Boys staged a memorable fightback to beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1 in a Group F tie.
United appeared set for a routine victory in Berne when their new man Ronaldo, who had scored twice on his second debut for the club against Newcastle United on Saturday, put them ahead 13 minutes after kick-off.
But Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card late in the first half gave Young Boys some bit of hope, which was realized when Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu leveled matters with a 66th-minute leveler.
Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sent off late in the first half for a challenge on Young Boys’ Christopher Martins Pereira. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men looked set to emerge with a creditable point having defended for close to an hour a man down, yet there was a remarkable late twist as Ronaldo’s substitute Jesse Lingard misjudged a backpass and Jordan Siebatcheu slotted past David de Gea to secure a famous result for the Swiss side.
Ronaldo squeaked the opener through the legs of David von Ballmoos, who could not prevent the ball from crossing the line after the Portugal star matched on unmarked to a superb delivery with the outside of the boot from fellow Portuguese Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opener against Young Boys. | PHOTO: Courtesy |
Von Ballmoos fared better the second time around to deny Ronaldo at his near post at the end of a quick counter, with David de Gea forced into a diving save from Christian Fassnacht’s long-range effort moments earlier.
But the complexion of the game was altered in the 35th minute when referee Francois Letexier had no hesitation in showing Wan-Bissaka a straight red card for going over the top of the ball and catching Christopher Martins Pereira on the ankle in what was an injury scare.
Jadon Sancho was replaced by Diogo Dalot to fill the void left in United’s defense, which coped well under persistent pressure until Ngamaleu poked home at the near post from Silvan Hefti’s low right-wing delivery.
United appeared poised to escape with a point but Lingard’s loss of composure presented Siebatcheu with a simple finish to send the Wankdorf Stadium into delirium with the final kick.
That was United’s first loss of the season and Young Boys deservedly won the match, the visitors failed to create any chance in the second half with all their three chances created and the only two shots coming in the first half. The hosts on their side controlled the match with 19 shots and 17 chances created. The expected goal ratio (XG) proved Young Boys deserved the win with an XG of 1.43 against United’s 0.53.
The other fixture in Group F saw Europa League Champions 10-man Villarreal play out a 2-2 draw with Atalanta at Villarreal with Trigueros and Danjuma scoring for the hosts whilst Remo Freuler and Robin Gosens scoring for the Italians.
Manchester United are back on League action this weekend on Sunday when they travel to London to take on West Ham United at the London Stadium. Young Boys on their side will not be in League action this weekend and will be playing in the Swiss Cup on Sunday against lower division side FC Iliria.
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