Manchester United, behind the strength of a penalty kick conversion from Daley Blind, and an own goal by opposing goalkeeper Mile Svilar, were 2-0 winners in the UEFA Champions League tonight. The Old Trafford faithful were sent home happy as the Red Devils all but clinched passage into the knockout round of the UCL.
They’ve played four group stage games in the European tournament, and they have won all four.
Here’s footage of Blind making good on the PK in the 78′
?? Daley Blind Goal 78' | Manchester United 2-0 Benfica pic.twitter.com/Q0aJRW4r0e
— ENIGMA (@ENTER_ENIGMA) October 31, 2017
Now here’s the footage of the shot by midfielder Nemanja Matic (who gave a great postgame interview, watch it here) reaching the post, which then ricochets into Mile Svilar, who accidentally knocks it in the net.
Svilar is the youngest goal keeper in Champions League history, and he’s full of promise.
There are much better days from him ahead.
Horrible own goal from svilar ! Benfica vs Manchester United pic.twitter.com/PjpHtwIH5w
— The72 (@The72_) October 31, 2017
Daley Blind and company need just a point in their final two games to punch their ticket to the knockout round. The only way they don’t get through is if 1. they lose both of their remaining games. 2. CSKA Moscow and FC Basel both win each of their remaining two. That’s a lot of if-then scenarios, and highly unlikely of course.
It’s pretty safe to say now that United are moving on.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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