Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho scored late goals as Manchester United beat Villarreal on Tuesday to book their spot in the Last 16 of the Champions League.
VILLARREAL, Spain – Late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were enough to earn an underwhelming Manchester United a 2-0 victory at Villarreal on Tuesday, a result that guarantees them a spot in the Champions League knockout stages.
United came into the contest knowing victory would see them through to the last 16 with one group match left to play, but in Michael Carrick’s first game as interim manager, United looked shorn of ideas in attack in the Estadio de la Ceramica.
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The home side had much better chances, with United goalkeeper David de Gea bailing his side out with several fine saves, the best of which denied Manu Trigueros a goal.
Into the hat for the last 16 🎩#MUFC | #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021
Out of nowhere, however, a poor pass from Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli that was miscontrolled by Etienne Capoue was then seized upon by Ronaldo, who lofted the ball over the stranded Rulli to give United the lead in the 78th minute.
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As the home side pressed for an equaliser, the visitors countered in the 90th minute with Sancho hammering home to put the game to bed and send United top of Group F with 10 points.
Qualification sealed with a game to spare 🤝#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/sLIeNkoOIt
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 23, 2021
United are three points ahead of Villarreal, who can no longer catch Carrick’s side due to their inferior head-to-head record.
Reuters
