Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 second ties produced even more drama than Tuesday nights. Here is what happened on a historic night of action:
Red Devils make history to eliminate PSG
Manchester United recorded a historic 3-1 away win at PSG to go through to the quarter-finals of the competition on away goals. In the process, United become the first team to win a knockout tie in the Champions League after losing the first leg by two or more goals on home soil.
The visitors needed a big performance and result. It took Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side just two minutes to half the deficit. Romelu Lukaku pounced on a poor backpass by Timo Kehler before rounding Gianluigi Buffon to open the scoring.
The job looked to get harder for United on 12 minutes, as full-back Juan Bernat popped up at the back post to score from close-range from Kylian Mbappe pass. The visitors struck again on the half-hour mark, as Buffon spilt a long-range effort from Marcus Rashford and Lukaku once again pounced on the rebound for his second of the game.
PSG saw a 56th-minute goal by Angel Di Maria ruled out by VAR for offside. David de Gea also produced a superb save on 83 minutes from Mbappe to keep the Red Devils in the tie.
The crucial goal arrived deep into stoppage-time. United full-back Diogo Dalot’s long-range effort deflected wide off PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe for a corner kick. However, referee Damir Skomina pointed to the penalty spot after consulting VAR.
With a heap of pressure on his shoulders, England striker Marcus Rashford stepped up and coolly beat the experienced Buffon with the spot kick. The goal completed an amazing turnaround for the Red Devils on a historic night.
Porto edges past Roma courtesy of VAR penalty
The home side levelled the aggregate score on 26 minutes, as Tiquinho scored from close-range with a tap-in from a Moussa Marega cross. Roma equalised 11 minutes later, though. Porto defender Eder Militao was adjudged to have fouled Roma winger Diego Perotti in the area. The visitor’s captain Daniele De Rossi made no mistake with the spot-kick.
Porto were the better team in the opening exchanges of the second half. Tiquinho could have scored, but headed over from around ten yards out. However, Porto did regain the lead on the night seven minutes into the second period, as Jesus Corona found Marega at the back post and the striker scored from close-range.
The match went into extra-time after Yacine Brahimi saw a volley saved, while at the other end of the pitch Edin Dzeko fired wide of goal. The former Manchester City star missed two big chances in extra time too, firing an effort over the bar when well placed and seeing an effort cleared off the line by Pepe after beating Iker Casillas.
The Portuguese side scored the winning goal on 116, once again with VAR proving crucial in the decision. Alessandro Florenzi tugged Fernando’s shirt in the area and after consulting VAR the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Alex Telles fired home the winning goal.
Despite this victory, Porto will be considered as one of the underdogs in the quarter-finals of the competition. Roma meanwhile could not match their exploits of last season when the Giallorossi made the semi-finals.
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