Manchester United are on the brink of reaching the Champions League knock-out phase after teenage Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar unwittingly put Jose Mourinho’s men on course for another narrow win.
A fortnight ago the 18-year-old became the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in the competition – a historic night that ended in embarrassment after he misread a Marcus Rashford free-kick and carried it over the line.
This looked to be a far better night for Svilar after he saved Anthony Martial’s early penalty, but misfortune struck the Benfica goalkeeper once again as Nemanja Matic’s shot came back off the post and deflected in off him to set United on course for a 2-0 win wrapped up by Daley Blind.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
“Quite an eventful 2 games for the Benfica goalkeeper Svilar! Two assists in two games! ð” – Former Manchester United and Wales winger Mickey Thomas.
STAR MAN
David De Gea: Produced an exceptional first-half stop to deny Diogo Goncalves and dealt manfully with everything that was thrown at him. An important display when the going got tough.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Svilar’s first two Champions League matches have not quite gone to plan. Guilty of gifting United victory two weeks ago, the teenage goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Nemanja Matic’s strike going in off his back.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Svilar became the youngest player in Champions League history to save a penalty – and at 18 years 65 days the youngest player to score an own goal in the competition.
RATINGS
MANCHESTER UNITED
David de Gea 7 (out of 10)
Matteo Darmian 6
Eric Bailly 6
Chris Smalling 6
Daley Blind 6
Scott McTominay 7
Nemanja Matic 7
Juan Mata 6
Jesse Lingard 6
Anthony Martial 6
Romelu Lukaku 7
SUBS
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (for Lingard, 45) 6
Ander Herrera (for Mata, 68) 6
Marcus Rashford (for Martial, 75) 7
Star man: Nemanja Matic.
BENFICA
Mile Svilar 7
Douglas 6
Jardel 6
Ruben Dias 6
Alex Grimaldo 7
Pizzi 6
Ljubomir Fejsa 7
Andreas Samaris 6
Eduardo Salvio 6
Diogo Goncalves 7
Raul Jimenez 6
SUBS
Eliseu (for Grimaldo, 64) 6
Haris Seferovic (for Gimenez, 75) 6
Jonas (for Pizzi, 79) 6