Manchester United - Real Sociedad 0-1
Manchester United’s four-match winning run came to a crashing halt as a controversial penalty handed the Red Devils their first Europa League loss on home soil in 19 matches and Real Sociedad a famous victory.
A solemn atmosphere had gripped the stadium, with a much-changed United outfit struggling for fluency in possession, creating precious little as result. Anthony Elanga’s searing pace on the left created a couple of openings, but the end product couldn’t be found. Imanol Alguacil’s men enjoyed more of the ball than the hosts, and arguably had the best opening of the half when Brais Mendez’s snapshot drifted narrowly wide of David de Gea’s goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, making his first UEL appearance in two decades, had the ball in the net before the interval, but his powerful header was ruled out for offside. The legendary striker had a chance to put his side ahead after the break, but failed to meet Bruno Fernandes’ cross with any conviction - a huge chance wasted by his lofty standards.
The Red Devils’ wastefulness nearly came back to haunt them when half-time substitute Alexander Sorloth met a pinpoint cross from the left, but the Norwegian fired his header over. The visitors’ growing momentum would pay dividends as they took the lead before the hour mark in controversial circumstances. Lisandro Martinez was penalised for blocking a shot with his arm, despite the fact it rebounded off his leg first, and Mendez converted to stun the home crowd.
Erik ten Hag’s men needed to respond but were desperately struggling to create against a staunch Sociedad rearguard. Casemiro’s effort from range tested Álex Remiro, but the hosts ran out of ideas and lost for the fifth time in the last 11 meetings with Spanish sides in this competition. Meanwhile, Sociedad won for just the second time on the road in their last eight UEL away trips, scoring and beating United for the first time ever.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jon Pacheco (Real Sociedad)
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Lazio - Feyenoord 4-2
Lazio began their assault on this season’s Europa League with an emphatic 4-2 mauling of in-form Feyenoord at the Stadio Olimpico.
Feyenoord’s unbeaten Eredivisie form this season is in stark contrast to their UEL fortunes, winning only once in their last 12 fixtures on the road in the competition and the clock had barely reached the third minute before Lazio were ahead.
A sodden Stadio Olimpico pitch didn’t restrict some neat interplay 25 yards from goal with Matias Vecino applying a deft, outside of the boot through ball for Luis Alberto to finish clinically and give the hosts an early lead.
The Dutch club’s solid start to the season has been made all the more impressive by the fact that Arne Slot’s side has been decimated by losing a number of key players in the summer. Cyriel Dessers, Tyrell Malacia, Luis Sinisterra and Marcos Senesi, who all played key roles in their run to the UEFA Europa Conference League final, have moved on, but their domestic form has seemingly masked the problems which were expertly exploited by Lazio in the early exchanges.
Felipe Anderson doubled the home side’s lead just 10 minutes later with the Brazilian cutting in from the right before beating Justin Bijlow at his near post from 18 yards out.
Maurizio Sarri's men were rampant and added a third on 28 minutes. This time, Vecino transformed from provider to predator, stabbing home a rebound from close range after Bijlow had denied Mattia Zaccagni.
Feyenoord came out for the second half with a modicum of extra intent but if there was any lingering doubt, any glimmer of hope for the Dutch side, Vecino put that to bed after Luis Alberto cut open the defence once again with an incisive through ball and the Uruguayan scored his second of the night with a smart finish.
Santiago Gimenez converted a penalty for the visitors on 69 minutes before adding another goal late on but the game was well won by then making the substitute’s double little more than a consolation. Lazio have played the most games of any side yet to win the UEL but look in prime form to correct that this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matias Vecino (Lazio)
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Crvena zvezda - Monaco 0-1
Breel Embolo scored a late penalty to help Monaco end Red Star Belgrade’s eight-match unbeaten run at Stadion Rajko Mitic.
Red Star Belgrade were looking to bring the positivity from their eight-match unbeaten run in domestic competitions to their Europa League campaign after missing out on Champions League qualification. The hosts started strongly and Aleksandar Pesic mistimed an early header from close range that glanced past the post.
Monaco were also looking to respond after they too crashed out of Champions League qualification and they had confidence to draw on, winning ten of their last 12 Europa League group stage matches.
The visitors grew into the contest and carved out a glorious chance when Wissam Ben Yedder played in Mohamed Camara, but the midfielder curled just wide with a powerful effort. Neither side gained control before HT, but Belgrade showed their threat on the counter-attack in the closing stages as Osman Bukari raced through unmarked and his shot was turned behind by Alexander Nubel.
Monaco probed early in the second half, hoping to upset a Belgrade side that had lost just one of their last 14 European matches at Stadion Rajko Mitic, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Red Star wrestled control as the game edged on and Guelor Kanga’s dipping 25-yard effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Nubel before the Monaco goalkeeper clawed out Aleksandar Katai’s whipped free-kick.
Despite having their backs to the wall, Monaco won a penalty when Slavoljub Srnic tripped Aleksandr Golovin in the area and Breel Embolo stepped up for his first European goal since November 2020. Embolo then won a second penalty late on following Nemanja Milunovic’s tackle, but the decision was overturned by VAR.
Red Star will be frustrated that they couldn’t make their pressure in the second half count and they were punished for a lack of ruthlessness as the Serbian side have now lost ten of their last 14 matches against French opposition.
It was a professional, counter-attacking performance from Monaco and Philippe Clement will be delighted that his side held on for a second consecutive victory following a patchy start to the season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alexander Nubel (Monaco)
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In other fixtures:
Ferencvaros edged Trabzonspor 3-2 at home in a dramatic match that saw the Turkish side have a potential equaliser ruled out by VAR for offside right at the death.
Sheriff Tiraspol started their Europa League campaign in real style by thrashing Omonia 3-0 away in Cyprus.
In group G, Nantes and Freiburg both started with wins. The French side overcame Olympiacos Piraeus 2-1 while the Germans won by the same margin over Qarabag.
Last but not least, Sturm Graz managed to weather receiving a second-half red card to hang onto their early lead and beat Midtjylland 1-0.
