Copenhagen dupe Man United in wild duel
Real Madrid and Inter Milan are through to the knockout phase of the top flight ahead of schedule, while surprise team Real Sociedad have also already qualified. Kai Havertz and Arsenal are well on their way. Manchester United experience a strange evening with a bad ending.
Bayern Munich's group opponents Manchester United let important points slip on the fourth matchday of the Champions League despite taking a 2-0 lead. The Red Devils weakened themselves with a red card for Marcus Rashford (42) at FC Copenhagen, who had previously finished bottom of Group A, and lost 3:4 (2:2) in a wild game. Ex-Copenhagen player Rasmus Hojlund (3rd/28th) had put Manchester ahead in his native city. However, short-handed and with 13 minutes of stoppage time remaining, the lead evaporated before the half-time whistle. Despite trailing twice, Copenhagen's winning goal was scored by 17-year-old Roony Bardghji (87'), moving the Danes up to second place in the table.
Meanwhile, record champions Real Madrid have already stormed into the last 16 with their fourth win in four games. Union Berlin's group opponents, with international Antonio Rüdiger and former world champion Toni Kroos starting at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, defeated Sporting Braga 3-0 (1-0) to become the first team in Group C to qualify for the knockout phase. First with luck, then with skill, Real won, with Jude Bellingham only on the bench after his shoulder injury. An early penalty (6th) was saved by Madrid goalkeeper Andrij Lunin, who replaced the injured Kepa at short notice. Bellingham substitute Brahim Diaz (27), Vinicius Junior (58) and Rodrygo (61) then made it clear.
Real Sociedad San Sebastian and Inter Milan are also among the top 16 in Europe. The Basques won 3-1 (3-0) in Group D thanks to an exhilarating first half against coach Roger Schmidt's Benfica Lisbon, who are still without points, and then Inter's 1-0 (0-0) win at RB Salzburg sealed the early progress of both teams. Benfica, who ended their scoreless run with a goal from Rafa (49), can still finish third and reach the play-offs for the knockout phase of the Europa League.
In Group B, FC Arsenal have the best chance of reaching the round of 16. With Kai Havertz starting, the Gunners beat Sevilla FC 2:0 (1:0), with goals from Leandro Trossard (29) and Bukayo Saka (64). PSV Eindhoven's 1-0 (1-0) win over RC Lens means Arsenal are now four points clear of the chasing pack. Ex-Gladbach player Luuk de Jong (12) scored for Eindhoven.
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and FC Arsenal London's Kai Havertz are influential midfielders in their respective teams. Manchester United faced Real Sociedad in a previous Champions League match, but unfortunately, they didn't secure a victory. Manchester United's defender Marcus Rashford was shown a red card during their game against Copenhagen.
Source: www.ntv.de
