Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League quarterfinals with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Betis in Seville on Thursday night. The Red Devils were pushed all the way by their Spanish opponents but eventually sealed their progression thanks to a late winner from Marcus Rashford.
The first half was an even affair with both teams enjoying spells of possession. Real Betis looked dangerous on the counter-attack with their speedy wingers, but United's defence held firm to keep the scores level at the break.
In the second half, United started to take control of the game and broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. Alex Telles whipped in a pinpoint cross from the left-hand side, which was met by the head of Scott McTominay, who powered the ball into the back of the net.
Real Betis responded well to going behind and equalised just six minutes later. A long ball over the top caught United's defence out of position, and Borja Iglesias was on hand to slot the ball past Dean Henderson.
With the game finely balanced, it was United who found the winner in the 87th minute. A quick counter-attack saw Bruno Fernandes play in Marcus Rashford, who took one touch before drilling the ball past Claudio Bravo in the Real Betis goal.
The win means that Manchester United progress to the quarterfinals of the Europa League, where they will face Italian side Roma.
Player Ratings
Real Betis: Bravo (7), Miranda (6), Mandi (7), Bartra (6), Moreno (6), Canales (6), Rodriguez (6), Fekir (7), Joaquin (6), Iglesias (7), Ruibal (6).
Subs: Juanmi (6), Lainez (6), Carvalho (6).
Manchester United: Henderson (7), Wan-Bissaka (7), Lindelof (7), Maguire (7), Telles (8), McTominay (8), Fred (7), Greenwood (6), Fernandes (8), James (6), Cavani (6).
Subs: Rashford (8), Matic (6), Shaw (6).
Man of the Match: Marcus Rashford.
Key Moments
18' - CHANCE! Real Betis come close to opening the scoring. Nabil Fekir's cross finds Borja Iglesias, whose header is tipped over the bar by Dean Henderson.
65' - GOAL! Manchester United take the lead. Alex Telles whips in a cross from the left-hand side, which is met by the head of Scott McTominay, who powers the ball into the back of the net.
71' - GOAL! Real Betis equalise. A long ball over the top catches United's defence out of position, and Borja Iglesias is on hand to slot the ball past Dean Henderson.
87' - GOAL! Manchester United retake the lead. Bruno Fernandes plays in Marcus Rashford, who takes one touch before drilling the ball past Claudio Bravo in the Real Betis goal.
Analysis
Manchester United produced a professional performance to secure their place in the Europa League quarterfinals. The Red Devils started slowly but gradually grew into the game, with Alex Telles and Scott McTominay linking up well for the opening goal.
Real Betis responded well to going behind and were unlucky not to score more than one goal, with Borja Iglesias causing United's defence all sorts of problems.
However, it was United who found the winner, with Marcus Rashford showing his quality once again. The England international has
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