Rashford kicks the ball before Barcelona's French defender Jules Kounde scores an own goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first-leg football match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, on February 16, 2023. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Barcelona and Manchester United served up a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Europa League knockout playoffs Thursday that outranked anything seen in the Champions League this week.
The former European champions traded leads in a back-and-forth second half of their first-leg game at Camp Nou.
Barcelona struck first in the 50th minute on defender Marcos Alonso’s header from a corner and leveled in the 76th when Raphinha’s cross from the right wing curled into the net untouched. United's defense was distracted by Robert Lewandowski’s failed attempt to connect.
In between, Marcus Rashford showed just why Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández described him as one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe.
Rashford beat goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen at his near post with a shot from a tight angle in the 53rd then created United’s go-ahead goal seven minutes later.
Receiving the ball at the touchline from a corner taken short, Rashford dribbled into the penalty area then fired a low cross that was flicked on by Bruno Fernandes and bounced up to ricochet into the net off defender Jules Koundé for an own goal.
"If you face number one of Spain in an away game and you are the dominant team, you can see this as a positive,” United manager Erik ten Hag said.
United goalkeeper David de Gea preserved the lead with late saves, after ter Stegen’s best saves were in the first half to keep out shots by Rashford and Wout Weghorst.
A game of 35 attempts on goal was watched by former United manager Alex Ferguson, now aged 81, in the stadium where his team won the 1999 Champions League final.
It sets up an enticing second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday with a place in the round of 16 at stake.
Barcelona has never won the second-tier European competition - never even reached the final in 52 years as the UEFA Cup then the Europa League - and its 13th attempt looks to be no easier.
