UEL: Samu, Maguire on target as 10-man Man Utd hold Porto in Portugal
Spanish-Nigerian forward Samu Omorodion scored twice at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night as FC Porto were held to a 3-3 draw by 10-man Manchester United in matchday two in the UEFA Europa League.
The 20-year-old scored in the 34th and 50th minutes to help Porto complete their comeback, but substitute Harry Maguire scored in the 91st minute to ensure United left Portugal with a point as their disappointing start to the season continues.
⏱Final de Jogo / End of the match / Final del Partido#FCPMUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/BZbBzFzEan
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) October 3, 2024
The Red Devils drew first blood thanks to a Marcus Rashford strike in the seventh minute. The English forward, in acres of space, drove into Porto’s area, beating two players before hitting a low strike into the bottom corner with question marks over Diogo Costa’s goalkeeping.
Erik ten Hag’s men made it two soon after, through Rasmus Hojlund, who was making his first start of the campaign. After Christian Eriksen brought down a pass from Andre Onana, the Dane found Rashford, who played in Hojlund before United’s No. 9 beat Costa at his near post once more.
The hosts drew one back in the 27th minute as Brazilian winger Pepe headed the ball home after United’s defense failed to deal with an initial save from Onana.
The goal spurred Porto on, and their pressure on the opposition’s defense paid off once more as Samu got his first goal of the game with a powerful header off a cross from Jaoo Mario, his second goal in the competition this season.
The second half began with a questionable change from ten Hag, who replaced Rashford with Alejandro Garnacho despite the former being a constant threat down the left side.
Porto, however, got in front, completing their comeback through Samu, who rifled the ball into the roof of the post after latching onto a timely cutback from Pepe.
With the game heading to its close, Bruno Fernandes got his marching order in the 81st minute as he was sent off for a second bookable offense following a high boot on Argentine defender Nehuén Pérez.
However, United would not go down without a fight, and they got the equalizer through Maguire, who replaced Lisandro Martinez in the 78th minute, as the Englishman headed home Eriksen’s corner kick.
Samu, who joined Porto this summer from Atletico Madrid, got his seventh goal of the season in his sixth game in all competitions, while Maguire opened his account for the season.
The result meant United, with two points, are languishing in 21st position after two games in the Europa League, while Porto are three spots worse off with one point after two games.
Your #UEL standings after Matchday 2… 📈 pic.twitter.com/r9q8tREMaP
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 3, 2024
Ten Hag’s team will turn their attention to the Premier League, where they will take on Aston Villa this Sunday, while Porto will host Braga in the Primera Liga before the international break.
