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UEFA Champions League: Man U beat Juve 2-1, City thrash 6-0 Shakhtar, see other results

UEFA Champions League: Man U beat Jive the 2-1 City thrash 6-0 Shakhtar, see other results



— Manchester City are on the verge of qualification for the Champions League last 16.


Two late goals gave Manchester United a memorable 2-1 comeback victory over Juventus in the Champions League group stage.

Former United forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal for Juventus to put the hosts in front, hitting a superbly-timed volley past David de Gea (65) from inside the box following Leonardo Bonucci's ball.

But Juan Mata equalised for United with four minutes remaining with a fine dipping free-kick from 20 yards, before former Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba helped bundle the ball over the line via Alex Sandro for an own goal in the 90th minute.



The result means United's knockout qualification hopes are in their own hands, sitting second in Group H with seven points, two behind leaders Juventus and two above Valencia.

United looked solid for the first half an hour as neither side created a clear-cut chance, but the first opportunity fell to Juventus as Juan Cuadrado's cross from the right of the box deflected off Nemanja Matic, forcing De Gea into a sharp save.

A minute later, Ronaldo's fine cut back from the right fell to Sami Khedira, but he hooked his right-footed effort from 12 yards against the outside of the post with De Gea stranded.

Team news

United made two changes from their win at Bournemouth on Saturday as Herrera and Lingard came in for Fred and Mata. Lukaku was not in the squad due to injury.

Juventus made four changes from their weekend win over Cagliari; Khedira was back after injury and Cuadrado, Chiellini and Sandro also started, replacing Benatia, Cancelo, Costa and Matuidi.

After the break, Anthony Martial struck just wide with a curling effort from 20 yards, while at the other end Juventus hit the woodwork again through Paulo Dybala's shot just inside the box in space.

He had been quiet up to this point, but Ronaldo became centre of attention on 65 minutes, collecting a deep Bonucci ball over his shoulder and volleying brilliantly past De Gea from 12 yards.

Ronaldo, who spent six years at Old Trafford, did not hold back in his celebrations, but did wave in respect to the United fans after scoring.

Dybala nearly added a second, denied by De Gea's outstretched hand, and Cuadrado fluffed his chance to wrap up the game from 12 yards, blazing over after Ronaldo's unselfish centre.

However, out of nowhere, United fought back for the three points, equalising as Mata hit a fine free-kick over the wall after Wojciech Szczesny had taken a step to the opposite side.

They got their winner in the 90th minute from Ashley Young's wicked free-kick cross, causing mayhem at the far post as Pogba's touch came off Sandro and over the line.

Jose Mourinho celebrated at full time by cupping his ears to the Juventus crowd, which upset some of the home players, before being ushered off the pitch.


CITY 6-0 SHAKHTAR

 Manchester City are on the
 verge of qualification for the Champions League last 16.

Gabriel Jesus hit a first senior hat-trick as Manchester City took a giant stride towards the Champions League knockout stages with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Pep Guardiola's side were dominant from the first whistle, taking the lead in the 13th minute through David Silva and they were gifted a second following Viktor Kassai's decision to award them a dubious penalty midway through the first-half.

The Hungarian referee pointed to the spot thinking Mykola Matvyenko tripped Raheem Sterling but the England forward actually kicked the ground before going down. Jesus (25) took full advantage, converting from the spot to send the hosts into the break with a two-goal advantage.

The goals continued to come in the second half through Sterling, a second penalty from Jesus and Riyad Mahrez before Jesus rounded off City's biggest European win by completing his hat-trick.

City, who hit six past Southampton last Sunday, were quickly out of the blocks again, taking the lead after 13 minutes when Mahrez pulled back for David Silva to turn home from close range.

Their second then came in comical circumstances as Sterling lost his footing kicking the ground in the penalty area after being played through by Fernandinho. Kassai had no hesitation pointing to the spot but within seconds replays were showing the extent of his error with Guardiola also appearing to tell the fourth official about the mistake.

Jesus, who was in need of a goal, accepted the gift, stepping up to score his third of the season.

City added to their tally early in the second half as Sterling continued his fine form, shrugging off the challenge of two defenders before curling into the top corner from the edge of the area.

City had two further penalty appeals turned down as Sterling and David Silva went down under challenges but Kassai had no alternative other than to point to the spot again 18 minutes from time.

David Silva was clearly felled by Taras Stepanenko and Jesus fired into the top corner to become the first player to score two penalties in a Champions League game for an English club since Wayne Rooney did so for Manchester United against Otelul Galati in October 2011.

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