February 16, (THEWILL) – In a thrilling match at Camp Nou, Manchester United and Barcelona faced off in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off.
While Marcus Rashford was the hero of the game for United, his 22nd goal of the season was not enough to secure a victory. A fortuitous goal from Raphinha rescued Barcelona, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
After falling behind to Marcos Alonso’s opener, Rashford quickly equalised with his superb form, matching his best tally for a single campaign. United then took the lead when Jules Kounde inadvertently put the ball into his own net, thanks to Rashford’s quick thinking from a short corner.
However, Barcelona managed to keep things finely poised ahead of the return leg when Raphinha’s cross went through and found the back of the net. The match was an intense display of skill and determination, and both teams have a lot to play for in the second leg of the tie.
Before that, they will focus on their respective domestic matches, with Barcelona hosting Cadiz in La Liga, while United will welcome Leicester to Old Trafford in the English Premier League on Sunday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
