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LONDON. — Manchester United conceded a dramatic stoppage-time goal as they lost to Young Boys 1-2 in Bern last night despite Cristiano Ronaldo scoring on his Champions League return for the Red Devils.
Ronaldo, who became the joint all-time Champions League appearance holder on his 177th appearance in the competition, fired United ahead after an exquisite pass from fellow Portuguese Bruno Fernandes.
United played for almost an hour with 10 men after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s dangerous challenge on Christopher Martins earned the defender a straight red card.
They looked set to hang on for a point in an entertaining match after Cameroon winger Moumi Ngamaleu’s equaliser, but a 96th-minute mistake by substitute Jesse Lingard allowed Jordan Siebatcheu to score the winner.
The home fans celebrated wildly while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left to reflect on what might have been.
Having missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition last season, United now host Villarreal in their next Group F game on 29 September in a repeat of last season’s Europa League final.
Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw at home to RB Salzburg in the Champions League yesterday after a chaotic first half in which four penalties were awarded, three to the visitors, while the hosts were forced to play most of the second half with 10 men.
German striker Karim Adeyemi missed the target from the spot in the 13th minute and the Austrians earned a second penalty in the 21st which Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic managed to tuck away to put his side ahead.
Salzburg then won another penalty in the 37th minute but Sucic hit the post with his second effort and the hosts made them pay when they were given a spot-kick at the end of the first half which captain Ivan Rakitic scored.
Sevilla were suddenly on the back foot again early in the second half when striker Youssef En-Nesyri was sent off for a second booking but the Spaniards held on for a draw. — BBC Sport/Reuters
Online Reporter