Manchester United gave up a two-goal lead in a breathless 4-3 Champions League loss to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday that turned after Marcus Rashford was shown a controversial red card following a brace by young United striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The loss was a calamitous setback in United’s hopes for last-16 qualification with Erik ten Hag’s side fourth in Group A on three points with two group games still to play. Copenhagen are one point better off in second place.

United have two tough games to finish the group stage, at third-placed Galatasaray, who have four points, on November 29 and at home against Bayern Munich, who have won all four group matches to book their spot in the last-16, on December 12.

Hojlund fired United to a brilliant start in a roller-coaster first half, scoring his first when the game was just 171 seconds old by tucking in Scott McTominay’s pass from close range.

The 20-year-old netted again against his former club in the 28th minute after a Kamil Grabara save sent the ball spinning practically to his feet.

The tide turned when Rashford was sent off in the 42nd minute for planting his foot on the ankle of Elias Jelert to protect the ball. The moment breathed new life into the home side and Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back three minutes later.

The match was played to the backdrop of an extraordinary atmosphere, with Copenhagen fans unveiling a pre-match tifo with the words “Your Theatre of Nightmares” — a reference to the “Theatre of Dreams” nickname of United’s Old Trafford stadium — along with a picture of a Red Devil asleep in a bed.

“We controlled the game until the red card. That changed the game,” Hojlund told TNT Sports. “I think we switched off a little bit. We didn’t think we would play with one man down.

United became the first side to score two goals, have a player sent off, and concede a penalty in the first half of a Champions League match since Bayern Munich against Man City in November 2014.

Four in a row

Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo scored as Real Madrid cruised into the last-16 with two group games remaining after a 3-0 victory over Portuguese side Braga.

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti rested several regular starters, including top scorer Jude Bellingham with a shoulder injury, but the 14-time champions maintained their 100 per cent record to lead Group C with 12 points from four games.

They could secure top spot with a point at home in their next game against Napoli.

The Italian champions are second on seven points, four clear of Braga in third. Union Berlin are bottom on one point after a 1-1 draw against Napoli.

“The truth is that I am delighted. It was a perfect game, three goals, we didn’t concede... I’m happy for the goal, the assist and, of course, for the win and the qualification, which was the most important thing,” man of the match Rodrygo told Movistar Plus.

Gunners fire

Arsenal returned to winning ways with a routine 2-0 defeat of Sevilla to take a big step towards qualification for the knockout rounds.

Successive defeats in the League Cup and Premier League had halted Arsenal’s momentum but goals by Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka cemented their place as leaders of Group B.

Trossard tapped home in the 29th minute to put Mikel Arteta’s side in front and Saka underlined Arsenal’s superiority with a superb effort midway through the second half.

Lautaro delivers

Lautaro Martinez came off the bench and scored as Inter Milan won 1-0 at Salzburg to advance to the knockout stage with two matches to spare.

Martinez was brought on in the 68th minute along with Nicolo Barella, who won the penalty which Martinez tucked away in the 85th.

Inter, last season’s runners-up, are level on 10 points with Real Sociedad at the top of Group D. Sociedad also booked their place in the round-of-16 thanks to Inter’s result.

Rival player blasts ‘clown’ Garnacho

FC Copenhagen centre-back Denis Vavro has labelled one Manchester United player a “clown” as Copenhagen defeated Erik ten Hag’s team 4-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Defender Denis Vavro turned the focus on Alejandro Garnacho, labelling him a “clown” for trying to scuff up the penalty spot after Copenhagen were awarded a spot-kick late into stoppage time of the first half.

“I saw that he tried to do something about the penalty kick, but Kevin Diks stood in front and blocked. It is the second time. And then at our ground? To me, he is a clown. He has the mentality of a child when he tries something like this again. In an away game,” Vavro told bold.dk.

“One thing is at home in the 97th minute, but here in the first half. I don’t understand him trying to do that.”

Ten Hag termed Marcus Rashford’s red card as “harsh.”

“Do you have one hour?” Ten Hag told TNT Sports, when asked for his thoughts on the game.

“I think first we played very good until the red card. The red card changed everything. Then it becomes a different game. It is disappointing.”

Rashford’s red card was given after he planted his foot on the ankle of Elias Jelert to protect the ball and it drew the ire of Ten Hag.

“It is a harsh decision,” the Dutchman said.

Written with inputs from Reuters