IT’S RASH & CARRY
Rashford settles it with bizarre goal as Benfica’s kid keeper takes floating free-kick over his own line
IT was more blunder than wonder goal but showed why Marcus Rashford is the pick of his generation. Teenager Rashford struck Manchester United’s winner with an incredible 40-yard free kick to make it a night that Benfica’s rookie keeper Mile Svilar will never forget. Belgian teenager Svilar, 18, became the youngest keeper to play in the Champions League but the piece of history will be remembered for his terrible 65th-minute error. Rashford clearly just took a punt, swinging the ball from the left flank into the box, knowing the keeper might make a mistake as his flashy style made him look like an accident waiting to happen. Sure enough, Svilar got his positioning wrong, could not readjust his feet and ended up catching the ball only then to stumble backwards and carry it over the line. United players celebrated wildly while German referee Felix Zwayer checked with the goal-line technology and TV replays were also good enough to show it was well over. Benfica boss Rui Vitoria, who had left EX-QPR and Brazil keeper Julio Cesar on the bench, put his hand on his head and shook his head in utter frustration. Sadly Rashford, who does not turn 20 until the end of the month, saw his own night end in despair as he hobbled off injured after 76 minutes. He looked distraught when he went off – a really bad sign considering United’s long injury list which includes Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini. Maybe those injuries are taking their toll because United were largely disappointing in Lisbon and they took a long time to get going. In fact, it was always going to take a freak of a goal for either team to score. United have lost their earlyseason spring in their step with the sort of malaise which put them out of the title race last year. They were as flat as Jose Mourinho’s mood, frustrated at the first sign of criticism after the bore draw at Anfield on Saturday and people refusing to pander to his huge ego. Benfica’s stadium looked half-empty as the locals are fed up after a poor start to the season and rising ticket prices. They have sold their best players, including Manchester City keeper Ederson and United defender Victor Lindelof, and despite having their moments did not force
David de Gea into a memorable save. However, Benfica have managed to keep hold of Alejandro Grimaldo and the former Barcelona B left-back was outstanding as he gave United defender Antonio Valencia a torrid time. Grimaldo went on a brilliant mazy dribble, tricking his way past three defenders to help set up Eduardo Salvio who fired a chance wide after 15 minutes. United did not create their first chance until the 32nd minute when Daley Blind’s leftwing cross found Rashford but he headed over. It was pretty turgid stuff. Nemanja Matic made a powerful run into the box but his shot was beaten away by Svilar while Henrikh Mkhitaryan blazed high after Juan Mata’s clever pass launched a counter-attack. Romelu Lukaku was virtually anonymous in the first half and Mourinho kept him back in the tunnel to frantically give him instructions while the rest of his United team-mates lined up for the second half. United did get better after the break and it was Rashford who really came to life with his direct runs down the left. Rashford began to get more change out of Benfica right-back Douglas and it eventually paid off. Benfica’s night got worse when captain Luisao was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card.