Manchester United secure remarkable victory over Barcelona to reach top 16 of UEFA Europa League

With a sweeping first-time shot, Antony fired Manchester United to a rousing 2-1 win over Barcelona.

comeback victory at Old Trafford sent United into Europa League round of 16 and kept manr Erik ten Hag’s four-pronged trophy hunt on track.

Antony might have silenced a few critics, too.

“He is brave, he is fearless,” Ten Hag said of Brazil forward who cost United $95 million for his transfer from Ajax last summer.

With United trailing 1-0 at halftime and heing out of tournament, Antony came off bench to turn match around.

His 73rd-minute strike completed a come-from-behind win and provided furr evidence that Ten Hag’s team is a rising force in Europe.

“What he brought (in ) second half was what we needed, running in behind and dribbles and his goal,” Ten Hag said.

Barcelona is leing way in Spain, eight points ahe of Champions League holder Real Mrid and seemingly on course for domestic title.

Yet, over two games against United, Spanish giant was shaken by pace and pressing of Ten Hag’s players.

“We lacked that calm and patience and started second half really b,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said. “Small details. We could have been more intense.”

Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty h put visitors in front on aggregate after  thrilling 2-2 draw in first leg at u Camp last week.

But Fred’s strike in 47th evened match before Antony’s winner.

In front of a raucous crowd of 73,000, this was of encounter United fans hope will become a regular occurrence under Ten Hag, whose outstanding first season in charge is improving by week.

“This is ar step because when you can beat Barcelona — one of best teams in this moment in Europe — your belief can be really strong because n I think you are able to beat anyone,” Ten Hag ded.

Dutch manr is still in contention to win four trophies, with his team facing Newcastle in League Cup final on Sunday.

United also sits third in Premier League standings and is still in FA Cup.

But Ten Hag’s team looked in danger of being eliminated from Europa League as Barcelona seized vant at Old Trafford, with Bru Fernandes involved in two key incidents in first half.

Portugal international could have put United in front after just three minutes when he ran through on goal, only to fire against legs of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Having failed to take vant at one end, Fernandes was n guilty of dragging back Alejandro Balde in box and referee Clement Turpin pointed to spot.

Despite getting a hand to Lewandowski’s 18th minute penalty, David de Gea could t keep ball out.

United struggled to find ir rhythm before break, but evened score in an explosive start to second half when Fred fired past Ter Stegen after Fernandes’ through ball.

Old Trafford was rocking and it went wild when Antony swept his shot low into far corner to put United in front.

“We’ve h some good wins, Liverpool and Arsenal, but I think this over two legs — Barcelona are La Liga leers — to beat m it’s a big win,” Ten Hag said.

HAT TRICK FOR DI MARIA

Angel Di Maria scored a hat trick as Juventus vanced in Europa League playoffs by beating Nantes 3-0.

Juventus won 4-1 on aggregate to ensure ar of Europe’s giants will play in round of 16.World Cup winner Di Maria opened scoring at Ste de la Beaujoire in fifth minute and doubled le in 20th from penalty spot after Nicolas Pallois was sent off for a handball in box.

Argentine completed his hat trick in 78th.

Sporting Lisbon also reached next round after Pedro Goncalves scored twice in a 4-0 win at Midtjylland to secure a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Midtjylland’s Paulinho was sent off for receiving two yellow cards in of two minutes in first half.

Bayer Leverkusen needed penalties to win an epic against Monaco after score ended 5-5 on aggregate.

Monaco h won first leg in Germany 3-2, but losing 3-1 going into last 10 minutes at Ste Louis II, it needed a Breel Embolo goal in 84th to send match into extra time.

But that only delayed Leverkusen’s celebrations as German team won shootout 5-3.

FAN ATTACKS SEVILLA GOALKEEPER

Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović was attacked by a fan who ran onto field in Spanish team’s game at PSV Eindhoven.

fan threw a punch at Dmitrović before being wrestled to ground by keeper during incident which happened late in match at PSV Stium.

Dmitrović appeared to be unhurt and fan was quickly surrounded by players from both teams before being led off field to jeers from crowd.

Sevilla progressed despite losing 2-0 at PSV Eindhoven, vancing 3-2 on aggregate.

AJAX GOES OUT

While Ten Hag is looking forward to next round, his former club Ajax is out after a 3-1 loss at Union Berlin.

Roma, meanwhile, recovered from a 1-0 first-leg loss at RB Salzburg to win 2-0 at Stio Olimpico.

Andrea Belotti fired home team in front in 33rd and Paulo Dybala sealed a 2-1 aggregate scoreline five minutes before halftime.

Shakhtar Donetsk beat Rennes on penalties after a 2-1 loss through extra time left score at 3-3 on aggregate.

Karl Toko Ekambi’s strike in 52nd for Rennes meant game h to go to extra time. Ibrahim Salah n put home team up 2-0 before an own goal from Jeanuël Belocian sent it to a shootout which Shakhtar won 5-4.