Journalism in the service of society

UCL: Osimhen named MOTM, Bayern edge United in thriller, Arsenal cruise

 

 

VICTOR Osimhen was involved in one of the goals for Napoli tonight in their 2-1 win at Sporting Braga just as Bayern Munich and Arsenal recorded important victories in other UEFA Champions League group games.

The Super Eagles striker headed the ball to Giovanni Di Lorenzo to score Napoli’s first goal as they earned an opening matchday victory in Group C, taking his goal involvements this season to three goals and one assist in five matches.

For his brilliant effort, the Nigeria international was voted the man of the match.

In the most eventful game of the night, Bayern Munich defeated Manchester United 4-3 in a Group A encounter at the Allianz Stadium in Munich.

United target before joining Bayern in a €100m move in the summer, Harry Kane scored one of the goals from the penalty spot and set up another as the German champions prevailed in the back-and-forth clash to add to Manchester United’s woes.

A first goal for new recruit Rasmus Hojlund and a brace from Casemiro could not prevent a third straight defeat for Eric ten Hag’s underperforming side.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana gifted Bayern the lead in the 28th minute after a bright start from United, the Cameroon international allowing Leroy Sane’s weak effort to squirm under his arms into the net.

Bayern doubled their advantage shortly after but United pulled it back to 2-1 through Hojlund four minutes into the second half.

It did not take long for the hosts to restore their two-goal advantage though as they were awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a Christian Eriksen handball, and Kane converted.

United cut the deficit again with Casemiro’s 88th minute strike but they were undone by more poor defending as youngster Mathys Tel netted with a fierce drive to the roof of the net in stoppage time.

Casemiro completed his brace with virtually the last kick of the game to give the scoreline some responsibility for United.

Manchester United have lost as many as four of their opening six games of a season in all competitions for the first time since 1986/1987 under Ron Atkinson — the season in which the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson would later take charge of the club, according to Opta statistics.

Arsenal had no such problems tonight as they breezed past Dutch side PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, who had missed the competition for six years, returned to the Champions League in style as Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard struck to take them to the top of Group B.

In the group’s other game, Europa League holders Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw at home by French side Lens.

Also tonight, Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at home to last season’s runners-up Inter Milan, with Lautaro Martinez scoring a late leveller for the Italian visitors, while RB Salzburg beat Benfica 2-0 in Portugal.

In the evening kick-offs, Real Madrid needed a late Jude Bellingham goal to beat German first-timers Union Berlin 1-0, while Galatasaray netted twice in the final four minutes to earn a 2-2 draw at home to 10-man FC Copenhagen.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS
Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United
Arsenal 4-0 PSV Eindhoven
Benfica 0-2 RB Salzburg
Real Sociedad 1-1 Inter Milan
Braga 1-3 Napoli
Sevilla 1-1 RC Lens
Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
Galatasaray 2-2 FC Copenhagen

Comments are closed.

Naija Times