In the first leg of our Europa League Round-of-16 match, Manchester United defeated Real Betis 4-1.
Marcus Rashford put the Reds ahead in the sixth minute with a swerving strike that flew past Claudio Bravo with ease. Despite a strong start by United, our goal was cancelled out shortly after the half-hour mark when on-loan Ayoze Perez fired across David De Gea and into the bottom corner.
In the second half, Erik ten Hag’s men proved too strong for our Spanish opponents. Antony reclaimed our lead with a trademark effort that curled past a stranded Bravo, who could only stand there and watch as it hit the top corner. Bruno Fernandes joined in minutes later from Luke Shaw’s corner. Our number eight was not picked up as he wandered into the area, making it 3-1 on the night.
Wout Weghorst scored the game-winning goal in front of the Old Trafford faithful. Facundo Pellistri, a second-half substitute, was at the heart of the move, teeing up Scott McTominay, whose shot was saved by Bravo, but Weghorst buried the rebound to complete an Impressive 4-1 victory. The Reds will thus take a three-goal lead to Spain for the second leg of this thrilling match next week.
Ten Hag’s men showed early signs of intent, charging forward inside the first minute and winning a corner, though Shaw’s teasing ball into the box couldn’t find a teammate. Weghorst appeared to have opened the scoring for United five minutes in, but Fred, who set him up, was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.
Rashford’s strike, on the other hand, ensured that we established an early lead. The Reds were quick to emerge up field in a sweeping move that began in our own half. Fernandes’ pass into the box was deflected into the path of our no.10, who kept his cool to make room before unleashing a thumping effort into the roof of the net.
Weghorst had a few chances in the first 20 minutes, the first of which came from a sublime pass from Casemiro, but his diving header was comfortably collected by Bravo. A trademark Shaw cut-back into the six-yard area was witnessed by excellent work down the left, but Weghorst’s effort flew just past the post.
FT: Manchester United 4-1 Real Betis.
Great response from Erik ten Hag's team after the horrible result vs Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/py0EH8ZXCd
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) March 9, 2023
The Reds dominated the first 45 minutes in front of the Old Trafford faithful, but the visitors equalised just after the half-hour mark, against the run of play. Perez, who is on loan from Leicester City, picked up the ball on the edge of the box before fizzing his effort across the box and Into the bottom corner past De Gea to score his first goal for the Spanish club.
Both sides had the chance to take the lead before the half-time whistle, but for crucial interceptions at either end. Antony was set up by Rashford, but his shot was blocked. Perez was inches away from scoring for the second time at the Stretford End when a flying block from Lisandro Martinez caused his effort to hit the post before being cleared, leaving the game level at the break.
United came out for the second half determined to reclaim our lead, and it only took us eight minutes from the start to do so. Fernandes received the ball in the centre before sending a great pass out wide to Antony, who used his signature move of cutting inside. Our no.21’s curling effort flew into the top corner, completing a stunning display in front of the Stretford End.
The Reds, however, were not satisfied with a one-goal lead and quickly added another. Fernandes found himself on the scoresheet again, this time with a bullet header from an undetected run to finish off Shaw’s corner. Ten Hag’s men had re-established the team’s dominance, and the renewed confidence was nearly mirrored in a brilliant team goal if not for the end result. The ball ended up in Antony’s path after an intricate passing move, but his chip over Bravo landed on the roof of the net.
The boss’s substitutes played a big part in crafting our fourth goal of the evening, as they have so many times this season. Pellistri’s bursting run 14 seconds into his introduction saw him pull the ball back to fellow substitute McTominay, but the Scotsman’s effort was well saved by Bravo. Weghorst was the first to react and scored from close range for his first goal for us.
Despite a comfortable lead late in the game, we continued to pepper the visitors’ goal, but without success. Still, the Reds have a healthy lead to take to Spain, where we will finish off the job and book a place in the last eight.
