Harry Maguire headed a second-half goal and goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a penalty deep in stoppage time to power Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday for their first victory in the Champions League this season.
“Of course it is incredible and a great night,” United manager Erik ten Hag said. “Especially in the dying second when you concede a penalty, but a brilliant save from Andre Onana.”
Back in the competition after a one-year absence, Ten Hag’s side moved into third place in Group A after collecting a precious three points after three games. Bayern Munich top the group with nine points after beating Galatasaray 3-1 earlier.
The victory looked in doubt when Copenhagen’s Jordan Larsson — son of former Celtic striker Henrik — stepped up to the spot after Scott McTominay attempted a clearance and caught Elias Achouri in the head with a high boot in the 94th minute. But Onana dived to his left to push the shot away before being mobbed by teammates at the final whistle.
“I’m just doing my job, the most important thing is to win against a tough team,” Onana told TNT Sports. “I am happy for the victory, we did a good game and a big goal from Harry.
“We are Manchester United. We are a big club, big players. It’s just a matter of time, now we have to continue like this.”
Maguire, who has been the target of fan abuse in recent months, had the Old Trafford faithful on their feet when he broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, Christian Eriksen’s long ball into the area finding the defender at the far post.
“It is amazing,” Maguire said on the fans chanting his name. “When you are not on your game it gets picked up, but I am really proud and pleased how I have acted over this six to 1has United 2 months.
“I have been given an opportunity and I want to help the team and get the club back to where it should be.”
A night that began on a solemn note with a tribute to club great Bobby Charlton, who died on Saturday at age 86, ended in celebration with fans singing “There’s only one Bobby Charlton”.
The victory was United’s first in the Champions League since a 2-0 away win at Villarreal on November 23, 2021.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham scored in each half to secure a 2-1 win at Sporting Braga and keep their side three points clear atop Group C.
It was an affair that won’t live long the memory on a cold rainy day in northern Portugal in which the Spanish giants dominated from the start and opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a close-range strike by Rodrygo.
Jet-heeled Vinicius Jr flew up the left wing and put the ball on a plate for his fellow Brazilian to tap in with a sliding first touch from inside the six-yard box.
Real managed to score again in the 61st when Rodrygo beat the offside trap and found Vinicius ghosting behind the defence on the left.
He collected the through ball and passed to Bellingham who, from the edge of the box, slotted an effortless curling strike just inside the far post.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored either side of half time as Arsenal completed a 2-1 victory at Sevilla, a hard-fought win that takes them to the top of Group B.
