Alex Telles canceled out Paco Alcacer's opening goal before Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Manchester United beat Villarreal 2-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Villarreal were clearly the better side, but the game can be sometimes cruel. Meanwhile, it was the home goalkeeper David de Gea who kept United in the game with some brilliant saves. In the second half, The Yellow Submarine broke the deadlock through Paco Alcacer before Alex Telles equalized with a brilliant volley. Just when it looked like the game was heading into a draw, the Portuguese superstar who was having a quiet game up until then scored with literally the last kick of the match.
The first half was clearly dominated by Villarreal. Arnaut Danjuma was causing all sorts of problems to Diogo Dalot down the left side. The dutchman cut inside from the left side of the penalty area fired a low, hard shot towards goal, only to be denied by De Gea’s strong left arm.
Few moments later, the 24-year-old again took on Dalot and delivered a cross for Alcacer. The Spanish striker’s header was tipped over the crossbar by De Gea at the near post. On the half-hour mark, Alcacer went through on goal as Raphael Varane misjudged the long pass from Etienne Capoue, but the 28-year-old hurried himself and lashed his attempt wide. The first half ended with another attempt from the visitors as Yéremi Pino’s left-footed grounded shot was saved by De Gea. The home side was struggling to get into the game and managed only two shots on goal in the first half.
Meanwhile eight minutes into the second half, Unai Emery’s side deservedly took the lead. Miguel Trigueros played through Danjuma down the left side of the area and he slotted the ball through for Alcacer, who sent it through the legs of De Gea and into the back of the net.
After the goal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side increased the intensity, but were struggling to create chances. Captain Bruno Fernandes’ attempted long ranger went wide. And then, on the hour-mark, Fernandes lifted a free-kick from the right side towards Telles on the far left, outside the area. The Brazilian left-back sent a sensational first-time volley past Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and into the net. It was the 28-year-old’s first goal for Manchester United.
The hosts were desperately looking for three points. Ronaldo’s sent in a teasing cross from the right and Lingard’s attempt at the far post was denied by Rulli. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Ronaldo initially nodded Fred’s cross down for Lingard who did well to hold off the defender and return the ball to the Portuguese legend. The 36-year-old slotted home past Rulli at the near post and sent the stadium into ruptures.
“It is a massive result for the team and the spirit of the team as well,” Solskjær said. “We gave ourselves a difficult job with the sending off in the last game [Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the defeat at Young Boys] so to get three points at home is important – now we need to get to 10 or maybe 12 to get through.”
Ronaldo was making a record-breaking 178th appearance in the competition. “He has done that so many times,” Solskjær said. “When you saw him against Ireland a [few] weeks ago [for Portugal] he missed a penalty early, didn’t touch the ball more or less, then scored two great headers in the last two minutes. That is just what he has done throughout his career, he is so strong mentally, he just stays in the game.
The win helped Manchester United to three points from two games and they are now placed third in Group F, level on points with Young Boys. Atalanta are top of the group with four points.
