Cristiano Ronaldo was once again a starter at Manchester United this Thursday and scored goals, after the controversy in which he was involved, scoring the third in the 3-0 victory over Sheriff, in Group E of the Europa League.
The Portuguese international had already missed a goal in an incredible way, in the 59th minute, when he shot over the crossbar in a favorable scoring position, but ended up scoring in the 81st minute, after a cross from Bruno Fernandes and a first save by the goalkeeper. Ukrainian Maksym Koval.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored three goals this season, has returned to the team after the controversy surrounding his refusal to play against Tottenham in the Premier League and after being ruled out for the match with Chelsea.
Manchester United’s victory was never in doubt and it was triggered in the 44th minute by a goal from another Portuguese player, right-back Diogo Dalot, who headed in from a corner kick and Marcus Rashford added extra time in the 65th minute.
Despite the 2-0 victory in Cyprus of Group E leaders Real Sociedad against Omonia, Manchester United can still reach the first place that gives direct access to the round of 16, but to do so they will have to win at Vasco País by at least two goals difference or more.
In Group C, it was the video referee (VAR) who ‘saved’ José Mourinho’s Roma from another draw, this time in Finland, against HJK Helsinki, by advising the referee, the Portuguese Tiago Martins, to review the candidacy of the nordics second goal, after a fantastic shot by David Browne, annulled by an earlier foul by Ghanaian Malik Abubakari.
Mourinho opted for two central defenders, as opposed to the usual system of three, and for Rui Patrício in goal, with Roma ahead at 41, through Tammy Abraham, but allowing HJK to restore the tie at 54, through the midfielder Perparim Hetemaj.
It earned Roma, in addition to the VAR, an unfortunate play by Finnish defender Arttu Hoskonen, who scored an own goal that gave Roma victory in the 62nd minute.
In group G, Nantes only managed to beat Azerbaijani Qarabag with a goal at 90+5, from Cameroonian striker Ignatius Ganago, who had entered the field at 78, while Freiburg, who had already secured first place and the consequent qualification for the group stage, tied with the Greek Olympiacos, at 90+3, by Lucas Kubler, after losing from the 17th minute, due to a goal by Moroccan striker Youseef El Arabi.
In group H, French Monaco drew 1-1 in Hungary, against Ferencvaros, while Estrela Vermelha’s Serbs received and beat Turkish Trabzonspor, 2-1, which leaves everything open for the last day.
Ferencvaros leads with 10 points, followed by Monaco with seven, Trabzonspor with six and Estrela Vermelha with the same points.
In Group F, Lazio, still lacking some starters, managed to turn the result around against the Danish Midtjylland, 2-1, in Rome, while the Austrians from Sturm Graz received and beat the Dutch from Feyenoord, by 1-0.
Lazio leads with eight points, the same as Sturm Graz, who is second, followed by Feyenoord and Midtjylland, both with five, which leaves everything open for the final round.
Feyennord host Lazio and will need to beat the Romans by two goals to reach first place, while Midtjylland, who host Sturm Graz, will only need to beat Denmark by one goal to reach second place.
Source: TSF
