An unfathomable night in the Danish capital has seen a seven-goal thriller take place between Copenhagen and Manchester United.
The Red Devils’ chance of progression to the knock-outs has been slashed after losing 4-3 in their fourth group-stage game, leaving them rock bottom of Group A on three points.
Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring within three minutes against his former club and went on to double it with a brace by the half-hour mark. However, the tide then turned following some VAR controversy; Marcus Rashford was shown a straight red card after a foul on Elias Jelert and amidst the aftermath, Copenhagen quickly pulled one back through Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Moments later, the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot after spotting a Harry Maguire handball. Diogo Goncalves converted it, and the sides headed into the interval with the score tied at 2-2.
It then took until the 69th minute for United to retake the lead courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty, which was awarded due to Lukas Lerager handling the ball during an aerial duel with Maguire. The midfielder made up for his mistake when he levelled the scoring just 14 minutes later. 3-3. Game on.
Reds capitulate at Parken
United were then penned in their own half as they attempted to stop a flurry of Copenhagen attacks, but in the most ironic fashion possible, the ball fell to 17-year-old Roony Bardghji, who fired home a sublime strike to send Parken Stadium into hysterics and United, to their knees in despair.
A tumultuous night in the capital for all involved, though only one team buckled under the pressure and came out short. ‘Your Theatre Of Nightmares’ read the tifo unfurled by the home fans prior to kick-off and by the full-time whistle, the sentiment had never rang more true.
