United find a chink in Benfica armour
● Youngest-ever goalkeeper is embarrassed as Rashford catches him out of position with free-kick
Manchester United continued their charge towards the Champions League knockout phase as Benfica’s Mile Svilar, the competition’s youngest-ever goalkeeper, was embarrassed by a Marcus Rashford free-kick.
Jose Mourinho, pictured below, arrived at his former club looking to make it three victories from as many Group A matches and, although they were unable to produce a swashbuckling display, United triumphed in Lisbon as star man Rashford caught out fellow teenager Svilar with a free-kick that secured a 1-0 win.
The deciding moment was a nightmare for the 18-yearold on the night he replaced Real Madrid great Iker Casillas as the youngest goalkeeper to start a Champions League match.
England international Rashford twice called Svilar into action from corners before trying his luck with a 64th-minute freekick. The out-ofposition goalkeeper backpedalled in an attempt to stop the whipped effort, but could only carry it over the line.
Rashford’s ingenuity was key and Mourinho will be hoping the injury that forced him off late on is not too serious given the absentees the United boss has already.
Victory means United are on the brink of reaching the knock-out phase for the first time since 2013-14, whereas Benfica have yet to muster a point at the halfway point of Group A. To make matters worse, they will be without captain Luisao at Old Trafford after his late sending-off.
Benfica’s already precarious position meant it was bold to plump for Svilar in goal – a player whose unorthodox diving header clearance was the most exciting moment of a drab start.
In a brief period of United attacking excitement before the break, Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed the target either side of a Matic low attempt that Svilar dealt with – the only shot on target of a dire opening period.
Ander Herrera drilled wide and Rashford had a hopeful effort when play resumed, with the latter soon showing exceptional skill to take Douglas off his feet out wide.
Matic flashed over from long range and Rashford twice threatened Benfica’s teenage goalkeeper directly from corners as United pushed for the opener.
However, Rashford had found a chink in Svilar’s armour and made it count from the decisive free-kick out wide, which caught the teenager out of position. Rashford would soon limp off to be replaced by Anthony Martial, the in-form substitute swiftly showing great skill before having a nearpost attempt stopped as the match petered out.
Luisao’s second yellow card late on for a late lunge on substitute Scott Mctominay compounded a miserable night for Benfica.