Rashford on mark in Paris again
United start strong with late winner against PSG
MARCUS Rashford fired Manchester United to another memorable victory at Paris St Germain as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men started their Champions League campaign with a bang.
After a season away from European football’s top table the Red Devils returned to action at the Parc des Princes, where just 19 months ago they secured one of their greatest ever comebacks in this competition.
Rashford fired home the late winner that night and again sealed a last- gasp United triumph in the French capital, where last season’s Champions League finalists PSG were deservedly overcome 2- 1 in last night’s Group H opener.
Bruno Fernandes had given the visitors the lead with a retaken first- half penalty, with a misfiring PSG seemingly on course for a share of the spoils after Anthony Martial’s own goal.
But Rashford would once again provide the late drama as give United a fine start to their European season.
Manchester City loanee Angelino scored both goals as RB Leipzig beat Istanbul Basaksehir 2- 0 in the other game in Group H.
Juventus opened their Group G campaign with a 2- 0 win at Dynamo Kiev.
Juve were without Cristiano Ronaldo following his positive Covid- 19 test but Alvaro Morata scored two second- half goals, turning home the opener soon after the restart before securing the points with a header.
Elsewhere in Juve’s group, Lionel Messi scored a penalty as 10- man Barcelona beat Ferencvaros 5- 1 at the Nou Camp. Messi tucked home the opener from 12 yards after being brought down in the area with Ansu Fati doubling the lead before the interval.
Victory was assured seven minutes after the interval as Philippe Coutinho struck – although Ferencvaros were given a glimmer of hope when Gerard Pique was sent off for fouling Tokmac Nguen and Igor Kharatin converting the penalty.
There would be no famous comeback, however, as Pedri and Ousmane Dembele both added late goals.
Lazio were impressive as they beat Borussia Dortmund 3- 1 in Rome.
The Group F game saw Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham become the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match at just 17 years and 133 days.
But it was the hosts who would shine, Ciro Immobile’s early strike setting them on their way.
Dortmund goalkeeper Marwin Hitz scored an unfortunate own goal before Erling Haaland reduced the arrears with 20 minutes remaining.
Jean- Daniel Akpa Akpro secured the win for Lazio with a decent late strike.
Group E started with a bore draw as Europa League winners Sevilla held Chelsea to a goalless stalemate at Stamford Bridge.