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Copenhagen talent Roony Bardghji
Photo: Liselotte Sabroe / EPA
Manchester United's crisis weeks continue: After a wild 3:4 (2:2) in Copenhagen, the progress of the English record champions in the Champions League is in acute danger. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are already in the round of 3 after a 0-1 (0-2) win over Sporting Braga, while Arsenal dominated Sevilla 0-1 (0-<>) without much effort.
In Copenhagen, the fans got to see a wild game right from the start, which had more to offer in the first half alone than most games after 90 minutes. Shortly after kick-off, Man United striker Rasmus Højlund pushed the ball over the line in his hometown (3rd minute). In the 28th minute, he was on the spot again and scored for the fifth time this Champions League season – and that against the club where he was trained.
However, after Marcus Rashford was shown a red card for a foul (42'), the game turned on its head: Mohamed Elyounoussi (45') and Diogo Gonçalves (45'+9') equalised for Copenhagen in a curious first half with extra time. A medical emergency in the stands and a speedster caused several interruptions of play and an official stoppage time of 13 minutes.
In the second half, the game calmed down a bit, only to deliver madness again. Copenhagen were unlucky when Harry Maguire headed Copenhagen's Lukas Lerager against his arm in the penalty area. Referee Donatas Rumsas awarded a penalty and Bruno Fernandes converted safely (69').
Lerager scored the deserved equaliser for the home side after a cross (83'). The final point was provided by 17-year-old Roony Bardghji with a dropkick (87th). In Group A, Man United are last, Copenhagen is in second place behind FC Bayern.
Arsenal are on course for their first Champions League round of 16 in seven years. Against Sevilla, the Gunners, with Germany international Kai Havertz in the starting eleven, showed an overwhelmingly dominant performance.
In numbers, this meant that the Spaniards only shot in the direction of the Arsenal goal in injury time. For their part, the club from London could rely on their attacking gem Bukayo Saka: The 22-year-old Englishman first set up Leandro Trossard (29th) and made it 2-0 himself after Gabriel Martinelli's pass (64th).
In Group B, Arsenal are four points clear of Lens and Eindhoven. Europa League record winners Sevilla are bottom of the group, but still have every chance of progressing as runners-up.
Real Madrid's stand-in goalkeeper Andriy Lunin should have watched his team's game at home to Sporting Braga from the sidelines. However, because the number one, Kepa Arrizabalaga, suffered a slight injury during the warm-up, the Ukrainian rotated into the starting eleven at short notice - and immediately saved a penalty: After only six minutes, Alvaro Djalo missed, before Lucas Vázquez had unfairly stopped a remarkable combination of the Portuguese.
Once again, Real's defence did not let itself be caught on the wrong foot, instead the Madrid attack rolled: Brahim Díaz's first goal did not count due to a foul in the build-up (12th), but in the next attempt the substitute of the injured Jude Bellingham scored regularly (27th).
After the break, Real's Brazilians turned up the heat, Vinícius Júnior made it 2-0 (58th), Rodrygo lobbed the ball into the goal for the final score (61st). As a result, Real Madrid are through to Group C ahead of schedule. Braga can only attack SSC Napoli in second place with Real's help and must not lose the direct duel with Union Berlin in order to continue to have the winter in the Europa League in their own hands.
Further results:
Real Sociedad San Sebastián – Benfica Lisbon 3:1 (3:0)
PSV Eindhoven – RC Lens 1:0 (1:0)
RB Salzburg – Inter Milan 0:1 (0:0)
CEV/MLB