Barcelona vs Manchester United: 2-2 in a high-energy Europa League first leg

Barcelona and Manchester United drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 32 at Old Trafford, setting up a dramatic rematch and reshaping expectations for the tie.

an intense clash with all four goals coming after the break, Barcelona faced bad news before the return leg as Pedri and Gavi both face missing time due to injuries and suspension. Pedri is sidelined by an injury, while Gavi is out after accumulating yellow cards. These setbacks narrow Barcelona’s options for the second encounter.

neither Christensen nor Balde took the field in this match. Xavi moved to protect the right flank with Araujo, perhaps anticipating Marcus Rashford in that area, while Marcos Alonso and Jordi Alba provided surprising rotations on the wings. Regardless of the setup, Barcelona found it hard to keep pace with an opponent who pressed relentlessly and displayed peak form in the middle portions of the game.

the Catalans did not build from the back with comfort. Koundé encountered difficulties initiating buildup, and De Jong faced heavy coverage. The most viable route to advancement came through quick switches along the right, where signs of vulnerability in United’s defense were repeatedly exposed.

Jordi Alba attacked Wan-Bissaka, who often misjudged his positioning and allowed space in the center. This created the opening for Barcelona to threaten through Alba, who allowed Gavi to advance and set up Robert Lewandowski for a shot that De Gea stopped in minute 9.

a promising free kick by Marcos Alonso in minute 13 nearly altered the momentum, as United fed off the energy of Fred and Casemiro, while Rashford’s balance and Sancho’s moments added to the tension around the Barcelona goal.

Pedri produced another foray in the 18th minute but United gradually assumed control, taking advantage of Barcelona’s errors and hesitation. Ter Stegen faced several difficult attempts, with Weghorst and Sancho among the closest calls in the first half.

Pedro’s injury

late in the first half, Barcelona gained a brief air as Alba forced a save from De Gea, keeping the scoreline tight. In the 40th minute Sergi Roberto was substituted after an exhausting spell of play. The half left Barcelona evenly balanced against an energetic United, a pattern that continued into the second period with three quick goals in the opening 15 minutes and another later at 76 minutes.

Raphinha aimed from distance in the 47th minute and then Marcos Alonso finished a decisive move in the 50th minute. The cross found Alonso, who struck cleanly and beat De Gea. The moment carried weight for Alonso, who celebrated toward the sky in memory of his late father as Barcelona took the lead 1-0.

moments later United surged back. Rashford struck again in the 52nd minute to level, and nine minutes after that a corner led to Koundé’s unfortunate own goal, gifting United a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute. Xavi reacted with a flurry of changes, bringing on Ansu Fati, Balde, and Christensen in search of balance that had been elusive until then.

Barcelona answered when Lewandowski fired in from close range to make it 2-2. Then, in the 76th minute, a long-range effort from Raphinha surprised De Gea, converting a quick break into an equalizer after a solid recovery on the opposite end.

the final stretch was a back-and-forth affair, more reminiscent of a shootout than a single leg. Barcelona pressed late, winning two set-piece opportunities and forcing a late save from De Gea as Balde and Ansu came close to sealing the result, but the score remained 2-2. The tie will now be decided in Manchester.

data sheet:

2 – Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Koundé, Marcos Alonso (Christensen, min. 66), Jordi Alba (Balde, min. 66); Frenkie de Jong, Pedri (Exhibition Roberto, min. 41), Kessié (Ansu Fati, min. 66); Raphinha (Ferran Torres, min. 83), Lewandowski and Gavi.

2 – Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Sancho (Garnacho, min. 82), Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.

Goals: 1-0 min. 50: Marcos Alonso. 1-1 min. 52: Rashford. 1-2 min. 59: Koundé (own goal). 2-2 min. 76: Rafinha.

Judge: Maurizio Mariani (ITA). Alba (min. 30), Varane (min. 43), Casemiro (min. 65), United Manager Ten Hag (min. 66), Malacia (min. 73) showed yellow cards to Gavi (min. 73). Events: The first leg of the Europa League Round of 32 drew a crowd of 90,225 at Spotify Camp Nou. A minute of silence honored victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. In the return, Barcelona will be without Pedri due to injury and Gavi due to suspension.