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      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo make rare tackle in his own box to deny Lionel Messi goal in Juventus win at Barcelona

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO even took on defensive duties to make sure he came out on top in his GOAT tussle with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
      Ronaldo’s Juventus travelled to the Nou Camp in the Champions League on Tuesday night and the Portuguese superstar prevailed as the Old Lady won 3-0.

      Cristiano Ronaldo nipped past Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi to pinch the ballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ronaldo used his pace to end the danger and deny MessiCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It was Barca’s first home defeat in the European group stage since 2009 and on a torrid night for Messi, Ronaldo hit a double to overshadow the Argentine.
      But it wasn’t just in the opposition box where the former Real Madrid man surged into action – he caught the eye late on by tracking back into his own penalty area to make a rare tackle and end a typically mazy Messi run.
      Ronaldo raced back from a few metres behind Messi before using his pace to nip in and divert the ball away from danger.
      The GOAT debate raged online between fans after the clip of Ronaldo backtracking circulated.

      One said: “So, player is in the right place when the other misconrols a ball? Nothing to see here, both superb players and we are lucky to see them.”
      Another added: “From what I watched Messi didn’t play bad, just couldn’t score, while Ronaldo scored two penalties, and didn’t see him do anything else. Both goats though.”
      A third tweeted: “Just appreciate how good both these players are, because sooner rather than later, they’ll be gone.”
      It was the first meeting between the game’s two most prominent stars since Ronaldo quit LaLiga in 2018.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on

      Ronaldo made a rare tackle on the edge of the boxCredit: BT Sport

      Ronaldo made the challenge with less than ten minutes to goCredit: BT Sport

      He raced away with the ball before clearing the dangerCredit: BT Sport

      Ronaldo’s brace of penalties helped secure top spot in Group G for Juventus with Barcelona coming second and both will be in the hat for the Last 16.
      The 35-year-old former Manchester United winger was full of praise for his opponents after the game, labelling the Catalan giants as the ‘best team he ever faced’.
      And he also put pay to any talks of an intense rivalry with Messi by revealing he has always ‘got along well’ with the 33-year-old.
      Ronaldo said: “I have always had a very cordial relationship with him [Messi].
      “I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.

      For the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him.”
      Cristiano Ronaldoon Lionel Messi

      “He always tries to do what is best for his team and me too. I always got along very well with him.
      “But we know that in football, for the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him.”
      Ronaldo’s first penalty was the first time he had ever scored against Messi in the Champions League.
      His second shortly after the restart made sure of the result for Andrea Pirlo’s side after USA midfielder Weston McKennie had buried a bicycle kick.

      Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya, always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced. Today we were a team of Champions! A true, strong and united family! Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season… Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/PivPpJ3SLh
      — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2020

      Dominant Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 as Ronaldo betters Messi by scoring twice More

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      Watch the unreal injury-time wonder save that denied Man Utd an equaliser as RB Leipzig keeper Gulacsi stops own-goal

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      MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the Champions League with a defeat at RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.
      The Red Devils lost 3-2 but were denied a dramatic injury time equaliser – which would have put them through – by a wonder save from Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi.

      Paul Pogba whipped a cross in from the right hand sideCredit: BT Sport

      Nordi Mukiele stretched his leg out and diverted it goalwardsCredit: BT Sport

      But Peter Gulacsi somehow stopped it from going inCredit: BT Sport

      United only needed a draw from their final Group H clash to qualify for the knockout stage.
      But they found themselves 2-0 down inside 13 minutes and 3-0 down with 21 minutes of normal time remaining.
      However, an 80th minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes and an Ibrahima Konate own-goal on 82 minutes gave them hope in the closing stages.
      And as they chased a vital third, it looked for a split second like they had got it.

      Paul Pogba whipped in a fierce low cross in from the right-hand side.
      And with Harry Maguire lurking at the back post ready to knock it in, Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele stuck out his leg to try and intercept the cross.
      However, instead of clearing it, the 23-year-old only managed to divert it goalwards with an equaliser meaning his team would have been knocked out while United went through in their place.
      But somehow the ball hit Leipzig keeper Gulacsi on the leg as he was rooted to the spot and he pounced on it to signal the end of the danger.

      Man Utd were a size 12 boot away from reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League 😱Péter Gulácsi was there to spare Nordi Mukiele an absolute nightmare in the 93rd minute! pic.twitter.com/lJn7Oysip9
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2020

      The referee blew the final whistle just seconds later and reaction to the save was mixed online.
      Many called it bad luck while other slammed United’s performance before the late drama.
      UtdJXK wrote: “If that’s against Liverpool, he scores the OG.”
      But Class of Manchester wrote: “No. We were about another five decent players away from reaching the knockout stages.”
      Christian added: “Too little too late, shame really. Go from controlling the group to completely bottling it.”
      And Roups simply tweeted: “United’s luck finally ran out. Didn’t deserve to qualify.”
      Elsewhere, Paul Scholes accused David De Gea of ‘bottling it’ and making himself smaller because he was ‘scared of getting hurt’ after he let Justin Kluivert score Leipzig’s third.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Too little too late, shame really. Go from controlling the group to completely bottling it
      — Christian Sandry (@Chris_Sandry11) December 8, 2020

      United’s luck finally ran out! Didn’t deserve to qualify
      — Roups (@roups_) December 8, 2020

      Solskjaer says Man Utd didn’t perform well enough as a team against RB Leipzig More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo says he ‘never saw Lionel Messi as a rival’ after Juventus beat ‘one of best teams I ever faced’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO revealed he ‘never saw Lionel Messi as a rival’ after his Juventus side beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
      The megastars faced each other for the first time since Ronnie left Real Madrid in 2018 as Juventus topped Champions League Group G with a 3-0 win.

      Cristiano Ronaldo says he never saw Lionel Messi as a rivalCredit: Reuters

      Portuguese ace Ronaldo labelled Barca the ‘best team he ever faced’ after the game.
      And the 35-year-old also revealed he has always ‘got along well’ with Barcelona wantaway Messi, 33.
      The former Manchester United star scored twice from the penalty spot either side of Weston McKennie’s acrobatic effort to seal the win.
      And speaking afterwards, Ronaldo said: “I have always had a very cordial relationship with him [Messi].

      “I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.
      “He always tries to do what is best for his team and me too. I always got along very well with him.
      “But we know that in football, for the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him.”
      Barca finished second in the group and still qualified for the knockout stage but are in desperate trouble in LaLiga.

      And the Portuguese megastar also heaped praise on Barcelona after his Juventus side beat them in the Champions LeagueCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/

      They sit ninth and just three points above the RELEGATION zone.
      But despite the Catalans’ woes, Ronaldo still showed respect for them after his side’s win.
      Alongside a post-match picture of the Juve squad celebrating in the changing room he wrote: “Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya.
      “Always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced.
      “Today we were a team of Champions. A true, strong and united family.
      “Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season. Let’s go.”
      He also told the media: “Barcelona are going through a difficult time, but it is still Barcelona.
      “The truth is that we are very happy, we knew it was an almost impossible mission, it was a complicated mission and we played well.
      “The key was to get into the game well, we scored two early and from there we believed it was possible.”
      Ronaldo’s opener at the Nou Camp was the first time ever he had scored against Messi in the Champions League.
      Ahead of the game, BT Sport ramped up the hype by publishing an evocative montage detailing the pair’s head to head battles over the years.
      Former Barcelona man Gary Lineker narrated the collection of highlights, stats, quotes and drama and the clip is 210 seconds of pure passion.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on

      Dominant Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 as Ronaldo betters Messi by scoring twice More

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      Chelsea boss Frank Lampard confirms Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi will each miss two weeks with injuries

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      HAKIM ZIYECH and Callum Hudson-Odoi will only be out injured for two weeks, according to Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
      Moroccan Ziyech hobbled off with a hamstring problem during Saturday’s 3-1 win against Leeds at Stamford Bridge.

      Calllum Hudson-Odoi’s hamstring issue should only see him miss a fortnightCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hakim Ziyech limped off during Chelsea’s win against Leeds but will also only be out for two weeksCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

      And England international Hudson-Odoi also picked up a hamstring injury in training ahead of Tuesday night’s 1-1 home Champions League draw with Krasnodar.
      But both forwards have been assessed by Chelsea’s medical staff and Lampard is confident they will not be out for long.
      Chelsea officially guaranteed top spot in Group E against the Russians on Tuesday and speaking after the game, Lampard said: “Both players are hopefully going to be out for around two weeks.
      “They had scans yesterday and their injuries are showing that they will be about two weeks.

      “I think that’s positive. Particularly with Hakim it’s positive.
      “With Callum we didn’t know what to expect. It was an injury he got in training a couple of days ago.”
      The lay-offs mean Lampard will be forced to change his starting lineup for his side’s visit to Everton on Saturday night.
      Kai Havertz slotted in on the right wing against Krasnodar and could do the same at Goodison Park.

      Frank Lampard gave injury updates after his team’s 1-1 draw with Krasnodar Credit: AFP or licensors

      Or Timo Werner could also be deployed out wide again with Tammy Abraham playing through the middle.
      Despite the short term injury woes, Lampard was pleased with his team as they qualified from their Champions League group unbeaten.
      He added: “I was happy. It was a tough game to navigate.
      “Nothing on it as such other than our own attitude and how we perform and how we approach and I thought our attitude was great.
      “No injuries, minutes for players, Billy Gilmour back in the side.
      “Tino Anjurin debut at this level, so all around I’m very content.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Chelsea legend Petr Cech on drums for catchy Xmas single More

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      Harry Maguire admits Man Utd weren’t ready and started too slow in crunch Champions League clash

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      HARRY MAGUIRE shared his frustration as he admitted Manchester United started too slow in their crushing defeat to RB Leipzig.
      The Red Devils were dumped out of the Champions League after a dismal 3-2 defeat to the Bundesliga side in Germany.

      Harry Maguire was gutted after Manchester United crashed out of the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters

      “We’ve got to look at ourselves.””You can’t defend crosses, you’re going to lose matches.”Man Utd captain Harry Maguire spoke to @andymay after a disappointing 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig. pic.twitter.com/RjhXGoR5fJ
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2020

      On-loan Manchester City player Angelino stunned United with a SECOND-MINUTE strike before setting up Amadou Haidara for No2.
      Justin Kluivert struck Leipzig’s third before a late Bruno Fernandes penalty and a Paul Pogba header – that hit Maguire – gave the away side hope.
      But England star Maguire could only have his head in his hands as the final whistle went and United dropped into the Europa League.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      And speaking afterwards, the 27-year-old chastised his teammates as they were punished for starting slowly once again.
      He told BT Sport: “We started the game too slow. It wasn’t good enough.
      “The first 20 minutes we weren’t at it. They put two balls in the box and we failed to deal with them.
      “We have to look at ourselves, we gave ourselves too much to do. You’ve seen how close we came at the end but we started too slow and we can’t keep falling behind.

      “We said on Saturday at half-time, 2-0 down, the next goal is crucial and we said it again tonight. They made it 3-0 and the task becomes even bigger. The third goal proved to be the crucial one but even three down we came close at the end.

      We started the game too slow. It wasn’t good enough. The first 20 minutes we weren’t at it.
      Harry Maguire

      “I don’t want to look at excuses. We have to go out and be aggressive, win balls. That’s the basics. If you can’t defend crosses you’re going to lose games. I don’t want to look at shape – it’s not an excuse.
      “It’s a tough group but we felt we should get through. That’s the standards of this club. I’m gutted for everyone, we worked so hard to reach this competition. No matter what group we got it would be tough. We have to do more.”
      United had just needed a point on the night but are now condemned to the Europa League after finishing third in Group H.
      Having come from behind to win five away games in the Premier League they gave themselves too big a mountain to climb in Leipzig.
      Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “We didn’t perform as a team well enough.

      “That’s always the manager’s responsibility to get everyone ready.
      “We knew they were going to come at us and put crosses in the box unfortunately we conceded two goals and never got going.
      “We started too late, there was great spirit in the comeback again but it’s different to the Premier League, you can’t give a team a 3-0 lead and expect to come back.
      “We weren’t good enough in a difficult group. We started well in the group but the big turning point was Istanbul and that was the one you thought we lost the points we should have had.
      “In this game we were close but knew we had to defend crosses and balls in the box and we couldn’t clear it.”

      Solskjaer also hit out at Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola who had disrupted the preparations by announcing on the eve of the game that his clients time at United was over.
      The Norwegian added: “As soon as Paul’s agent realises this is a team sport and we work together the better, and that’s maybe the last thing I’ll say about that, I don’t want to spend energy on that.”
      “You have to ask Paul if he is happy or not, I’m not going to speak for him. Paul is focused on doing his best for the team and when he’s here he’s working hard in training just needs to focus on his performances.”

      Man Utd lose 3-2 at RB Leipzig and are out of the Champions League More

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      Ronaldo scores in Champions League against Messi for first time ever as he inspires Juventus to Nou Camp win

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO scored against Lionel Messi in the Champions League for the first time EVER as Juventus demolished Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
      Ronaldo, 35, netted twice in a 3-0 win to seal and unlikely top spot in Group G, consigning their rivals to second spot – and the threat of a tougher draw.

      Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored his first goals against Lionel Messi in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      Messi had scored three goals against Ronaldo before Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0Credit: Reuters

      Incredibly, his spot-kick double marked the first time Ronaldo had ever netted against a Barcelona side featuring Messi, 33, in Europe’s elite competition.
      Ronaldo had gone FIVE games without success whereas Messi had netted three times against him.
      Their first encounter came in 2008 when Barcelona and Manchester United faced each other in the Champions League semi-finals, with both players drawing blanks across the two legs as the Red Devils progressed 1-0 on aggregate.
      However, Messi did score when the two sides faced each other a year later in the 2009 final, resulting in a 2-0 Barcelona win.

      The next clash came in the 2011 semis when Ronaldo was at Real Madrid.
      Messi scored twice in the first leg which was enough to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory.
      The Argentine talisman did net against Juventus earlier this season as Barcelona won 2-0 in Turin, but Ronaldo did not feature after testing positive for coronavirus.
      However, the Portugal icon was fit to lead the line at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

      Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya, always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced. Today we were a team of Champions! A true, strong and united family! Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season… Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/PivPpJ3SLh
      — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2020

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on

      And he finally broke his duck with two goals, leaving it 3-2 to Messi in the battle of the legends.
      Ronaldo was delighted with his performance, taking to social media to praise his Juve teammates as well.
      Ronnie tweeted: “Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya, always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced.
      “Today we were a team of Champions! A true, strong and united family!
      “Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season… Let’s go!”

      Watch as Cristiano Ronaldo is greeted by hundreds of fans outside Barcelona hotel as Juventus star returns to Spain More

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      Barcelona 0 Juventus 3 LIVE REACTION: Ronaldo piles misery on Messi as Juve romp to Champions League victory in Nou Camp

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO netted two penalties as Juventus swept aside Barcelona in Group G.
      Final score: Barcelona 0-3 Juventus
      Follow ALL the reaction with our live blog below…

      THAT’S ALL
      It was Juventus who come out on top tonight as they seal top spot in Group G.
      Barcelona lacked a cutting edge up top and too many shots from outside the area didn’t trouble Buffon.
      The night belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo as his brace helped get the three goal margin the Old Lady needed.
      But we’ll leave tonight with these two, the greatest footballers on planet earth sharing the same stage.
      Cherish them while we can. Goodnight!

      Credit: AP:Associated Press

      -1Credit: Reuters

      RONNY SPEAKS
      Tonight’s matchwinner gives his thoughts after a memorable night for the Old Lady

      Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya, always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced. Today we were a team of Champions! A true, strong and united family! Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season… Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/PivPpJ3SLh
      — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2020

      SHAME FOR HIM
      Got to feel for Aaron Ramsey, he could be lining up in Ireland in the Europa League tomorrow night.

      A HERO’S WELCOME
      The Juve bench make enough noise with the missing fans!

      This is some reception! 👑🙌The Juventus sideline couldn’t give a nicer welcome to Cristiano Ronaldo after he was subbed off in injury time… pic.twitter.com/JFbAPNhx3B
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2020

      FAIR PLAY
      To be fair to Juventus, they did warn Barcelona they were coming…..👀

      You probably looked it up in the wrong dictionary. We’ll bring you the right one at Camp Nou 🔍📖
      — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 28, 2020

      EHM…….

      TEAM PLAYER
      Cristiano Ronalo – on a hat trick – tracks back and wins the ball back from Lionel Messi inside his OWN box.

      Credit: Reuters

      RELIVE THE ACTION
      Take in all the big moments of tonight’s game with our match report
      MATCH REPORT HERE

      MAYBE I WAS WRONG
      Ronaldo didn’t appear too bothered about being subbed.
      He took the long walk around the Camp Nou and arrived back to a hero’s reception.
      Maybe he was a tad bothered after all!

      Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Credit: AP:Associated Press

      HOW WE FINISH
      The final standings in Group G.

      THE BATTLE OF THE NIGHT
      Buffon and Messi swapped shirts at full time.
      On tonight’s evidence, I assume that Messi went asking for Gigi’s!

      FT: BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      Juventus needed a big result to take top spot in group G….and that’s exactly what they got.
      In a battle of the giants clash at the Camp Nou, Ronaldo came out on top against Messi.
      He opened the scoring from the spot after being brought down by Araujo, before coolly stroking the ball down the middle from the spot.
      They made it two shortly after when McKennie was given all the room in the world to fire home acrobatically from six-yards out.
      Ronaldo made it three in the second half when Lenglet was adjudged to have handballed it. The referee needed a monitor check before giving it.
      This time, Ronaldo whipped it into the bottom corner.
      They almost had a fourth when Bonucci poked home from inside the six-yard box but VAR caught him offside.
      The battle was Ronaldo and Messi but it was Buffon who was the Argentinian’s arch nemesis, denying him on several occasions.
      Ronaldo even tracked back and pinched the ball off Messi in his defensive third late on, for good measure.
      A great night for the Italians and they will get a group runner-up in the next stage.

      Credit: Reuters

      PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!
      FULL TIME AT THE CAMP NOU!
      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      90+3′ Bonucci with a header inside his own six-yard box to clear away in front of Braithwaite.
      Barcelona could play until Sunday and won’t score.

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      90+1′ No hat trick for Ronaldo as Pirlo subs him off.
      He doesn’t look too bothered but you can bet inside he’ll be gutted!
      OFF – Ronaldo
      ON – Chiesa

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      FOUR MINUTES OF ADDED TIME

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      89′ Buffon will not be beaten by Messi tonight.
      Messi gets a ball laid into his path on the edge of the box. He takes a touch inside and the goal opens up.
      He tries a side footed finish into the corner but Buffon dives on it easily.

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      88′ Griezmann has a go this time, from the edge of the box after getting space behind the midfield.
      Like so many before him, he fires it well off target.

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      87′ Into the final five minutes and Barca continue to huff and puff but a goal still looks so unlikely.
      Ronaldo doesn’t have long if he wants that hat trick!

      DANILO V GRIEZMANN
      Griezmann hasn’t got going tonight. Looks a shadow of the player at Atletico!

      Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      Pirlo looks happy with the result and will try and see it out from here.
      He makes a double sub:
      OFF – Morata and Cuadrado
      ON – Bernardeschi and Dybala

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      84′ Messi has another pop from outside the box.
      This time trying to whip it into the far corner but it goes a yard wide.

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      81′ Ronaldo in his defensive third, putting in the hard yards and getting the ball away from Messi to clear.
      He’s loving his evening!

      BARCELONA 0-3 JUVENTUS
      81′ Barcelona sub
      OFF – Araujo
      ON – Mingueza

      THE GOAL THAT TAKES JUVENTUS TOP
      Cool as you like from Ronaldo

      Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Load more entries… More

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      RB Leipzig 3 Man Utd 2 LIVE REACTION: Red Devils crash OUT of Champions League despite late rally in Germany

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are out of the Champions League after losing in Germany to RB Leipzig.
      Final score: Leipzig 3-2 Man Utd
      Follow ALL the reaction with our live blog below…

      IT’S ALL OVER
      For me this evening and for Manchester United – their Champions League campaign is over.
      For an in-depth look at tonight’s loss, take a look at our match report, courtesy of Dave Kidd.

      POGBA DRAMA
      Ole refused to be drawn on the Paul Pogba saga and would not comment on whether the French international was happy.
      When asked whether he wanted Pogba to say, Ole added: “Now is not the time to discuss who stays and who is a transfer target.”

      WHAT’S NEXT
      Ole says: “As a footballer, you can’t feel sorry for yourself, you can only do that for a few minutes tonight, then we have to focus on Saturday.
      “The boys have a massive game on Saturday, that’s what the boys and I need to look forward to.”

      OLE SPEAKS
      Speaking after the game, on BT Sport, Ole said: “We showed spirit in a comeback again- it’s different to the Premier League- you can’t give a team a three goal lead and expect to come back.
      “We were unlucky towards the end, I felt the character was there and I almost thought it was in at the last minute too.
      “Of course yo can’t say we were good enough, we weren’t.
      “In a difficult group we started well, then the turning point was the defeat to Istanbul- that’s where we lost the points that we should have had- today we were clime and we knew we had to defend crosses and balls in the box, but we just couldn’t clear then.”

      CAPTAIN’S DUTY
      Speaking of the different shapes Manchester United played this evening, Harry Maguire says: “I don’t want to look at excuses, there are 11 bodies out there that need to be aggressive and defend crosses, it’s the basics of football.
      “We didn’t defend crosses and you can’t win football like that- obviously we changed the shape when we went 2-0 down, but I don’t want to look at that, it’s not an excuse.”

      LATE, LATE DRAMA
      Here’s how close United came to a draw in the dying seconds!

      Man Utd were a size 12 boot away from reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League 😱Péter Gulácsi was there to spare Nordi Mukiele an absolute nightmare in the 93rd minute! pic.twitter.com/lJn7Oysip9
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 8, 2020

      ALL OVER
      Desperately disappointing night for Manchester United- the score line probably flattered them as there didn’t seem to be much oomph or energy in the entire first half.
      That result means Paris St-Germain go through to the knockout stages, assuming that there aren’t any deductions from the game in Paris that’s been suspended.

      FT: RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      92. Pogba turns well on the right of the box and squares a ball across the goal mouth, but Kuante is at full stretch to block the pass, it looks like it’s going in for an own goal.
      Gulacsi falls to the floor and manages to stop the potential own goal.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      91. Pogba whips a ball into the box, but Orban and Gulacsi collide as they try to block out Rashford.
      No surprise that Orban goes down to waste time..

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      90. Four additional minutes at the Red Bull arena.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      89. Into the final minute of normal time- there’s definitely one more chance in it for United.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      88. Rashford slips the ball to McTominay at the top of the box, but the birthday boy slips as he tries to hit it and sends it flying over the bar.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      87. Leipzig bring on an experienced central defender to get them over the line – Halstenberg for Angelino

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      He’s been making headlines this week…

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      84. Leipzig are in absolutely no rush to take any corners or throw-ins, much to United’s disgust.
      Shouts of ‘ten minutes to go’ from the United bench can be heard- they’re trying to rally the troops.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
      82. A United corner is swung in to Pogba who’s at the far post, he’s head and shoulders above the Leipzig defence and nods the ball into the back of the net.
      Leipzig plead with the ref, claiming it hits Maguire’s arm on it’s path into goal.
      VAR check complete, goal stands! Can United actually do this!?

      GOOOOAL
      IT’S POGBA!

      RB LEIPZIG 3-1 MAN UTD
      81. Adams is booked for shoving Van De beek off the ball in the box.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-1 MAN UTD
      80. Fernandes fires the ball low and left, sending the keeper right.
      He races to the back of the net to get the game restarted quickly.

      GOOOAL
      Fernandes with his trademark penalty kick gives United a fighting chance..

      RB LEIPZIG 3-0 MAN UTD
      78. There’s a coming together of Konate and Greenwood on the right of the box.
      Yes, the ref’s given it- pen to United. Is this a lifeline for United?

      Fernandes steps up..

      RB LEIPZIG 3-0 MAN UTD
      78. I think United could have a penalty here…

      RB LEIPZIG 3-0 MAN UTD
      77. Another substitution for United; Fosu-Mensah replaces Wan-Bissaka.

      RB LEIPZIG 3-0 MAN UTD
      76. Lindelof receives a yellow, just before he’s replaced by Tuanzebe

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