Outstanding Eagle goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and his Cypriot member Omonia Nicosia were eliminated from Europa League following a 2-0 loss to desk toppers, Actual Sociedad.
Uzoho was kept between the sticks for Thursday’s encounter after his heroic efficiency against Manchester United at Old Trafford two weeks ago. But the goalkeeper was unable to salvage his troubled membership this time around as their poor form in the Europa League was extended to 5 games without level.
Robert Navarro’s header from Asier Illarramendi’s cross crossed a slightly slower Uzoho to keep the ball before half-time.
Uzoho then conceded another goal from Mind Mendez at the hour mark.
In the other Group E clash, Cristiano Ronaldo sealed victory for Manchester United as they sealed their qualification to the next round with a 3-0 win over the Sheriff.
Thursday’s win means United still have games to spare.
Erik Ten Hag’s men took the lead at the end of the first half through Diogo Dalot.
Second-half goals from substitute Marcus Rashford and later from Ronaldo helped the Purple Devils close the gap between them and group leaders Actual Sociedad.
In the tenth minute of the game, United recorded their first chance on purpose from Anthony’s shot but was saved by Sheriff goalkeeper JMaksym Koval.
The next three minutes saw missed double opportunities from Casemiro and Ronaldo respectively who failed to direct their headers online.
While Casemiro’s header from Christian Eriksen’s corner was blocked by Stjepan Radeljic, Ronaldo’s header flew an inch over the bar.
Ronaldo had several different chances after that but was denied by the Sheriff’s keeper.
Two minutes before halftime, United finally broke the deadlock through Dalot who headed in Eriken’s corner. It was the Portuguese defender’s debut goal in European competition for United and his first since January 2020.
On the hour mark, Ronaldo’s goal from a Bruno Fernandez header was dominated as offside to the delight of the struggling visiting staff.
4 minutes later, United doubled the lead with the hassle of substitutes. Luke Shaw made his first contact the night after coming on for Diogo Dalot.
He sent a cross to another substitute, Rashford which headed into the Sheriff’s net.
Ronaldo, after his free-kick hit the wall, scored United’s third from the rebound to his header into Fernandez’s cross in the 81st minute.
Arsenal and PSV also progress
Apart from battling a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal have progressed to the next round of the Europa League.
Nonetheless, the Gunners want their latest sporting win to be confirmed at the top of their group.
However, seeing two goals on the night canceled out after VAR checks, PSV still ensured they got a fine finish against Arsenal.
The Dutch side corrected their mistake in the second half with the inclusion of Captain Luuk De Jong in the hosts’ attack.
The choice finally paid off when De Jong set up Joey Veerman who fired Aaron Ramsdale’s earlier shot 10 minutes into the second half.
De Jong then doubled the lead for the Dutch side from a header into Cody Gakpo’s corner in the 63rd minute.
With Arsenal failing to get no less than a title against PSV on Thursday, they will want to beat FC Zurich on the final match day to ensure a high finish in their group.
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