Cult Hamburg club St Pauli won promotion to the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence with a 3-1 home win over Osnabrueck on Sunday.
Pauli won thanks to a brace from Dapo Afolayan and a goal from the club’s top scorer Marcel Hartel and return to the top division for the first time since being relegated in 2011.
Pauli were promoted alongside fellow northern side Holstein Kiel, who reached the German top flight for the very first time with a home draw against third-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday.
“It’s indescribable. We were able to give something back to the fans for their incredible support,” coach Fabian Huerzeler said on Sky.
“It’s an extreme relief and the crowning glory of our season.”
Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine, who dons the captain’s armband for St Pauli, stated his “emotions are going crazy” and he’d “never felt anything like it”.
“Gratitude, joy, simply everything,” Irvine said.
“I’m completely overwhelmed. It’s just incredible to see how much it means to people, not just us. Unglaublich (Incredible)!
“This is why I came here. I wanted to achieve something for the fans and give the people something and we’ve done that by getting promoted.
“We’ve all invested so much, week in, week out. And it’s a huge honour to be captain of this team, something I don’t take for granted.
FC St. Pauli fans invaded the pitch to celebrate after their team was promoted to the Bundesliga. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“We had belief going into the game. We were prepared. We wanted to give our utmost and leave everything on the pitch and all of us gave everything to seal promotion. It was the only way we were going to go up.
“We sat down at the beginning of the season and placed the highest expectations on ourselves and that’s the attitude we took into training every week. We gave our all, our hearts and we worked so hard and now we have this moment together. Amazing.”
Former Bolton and West Ham striker Afolayan gave the home side the lead after just seven minutes and doubled up early in the second half with a tap-in at the far post.
Hartel headed in a third with 22 minutes remaining, his 17th league goal of the season.
Osnabrueck’s Lars Kehl scored a penalty in stoppage time but the celebrations began shortly after at St Pauli’s Millerntor Stadium, just down from the city’s notorious Reeperbahn.
Known for their skull and crossbones flag and identification with left-wing causes, Pauli have an international reputation which is larger than their sporting achievements.
The promotion continues Pauli’s stunning rise under 31-year-old US-born coach Huerzeler.
FC St. Pauli coach Fabian Huerzeler is hoisted up by fans after guiding the team to the Bundesliga. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Huerzeler took over just before Christmas in 2022 with the club hovering dangerously close to relegation. He piloted a rapid rise up the table to fourth at season’s end, narrowly missing promotion last season, but getting the job done the second time around.
Pauli are first with one match remaining and will be champions of the second division by matching second-placed Kiel’s result next weekend.
Dusseldorf are guaranteed to finish third and will play a two-legged playoff against the third-last side in the top division, currently Union Berlin.
Pauli’s promotion, the sixth in club history, is even sweeter given city rivals Hamburg SV again missed out on returning to the top division.
Hamburg, the 1983 European Cup winners, were relegated for the first time in 2017-18 but have failed to return to the Bundesliga in the six seasons since.
Hamburg, currently in fourth spot, have finished fourth three times and third twice, losing the promotion/relegation playoff on both occasions.
Carlton Morris scored a controversial stoppage-time equaliser as Luton salvaged a 1-1 draw in their crucial clash with relegation rivals Burnley.
Zeke Amdouni netted late in the first half at Turf Moor to give Burnley the lead, but Morris headed Luton level in the closing minutes.
Burnley were furious Morris’s goal was allowed to stand after a VAR check as Luton’s Elijah Adebayo appeared to deliberately block Clarets keeper James Trafford as he tried to catch Alfie Doughty’s cross.
Trafford was booked for his protest after the goal was allowed to stand, with Luton’s celebrations underlining their relief at avoiding defeat against their fellow strugglers in such dramatic fashion.
James Trafford and Elijah Adebayo (C) collide in the seconds before Luton Town’s Carlton Morris (R) scores their first goal. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany had plenty to say about the decision post-game, declaring a call like it “can’t decide a game”.
“[My view is the same as] everyone’s view,” Kompany told BBC Sport.
“My view is the same as anyone who has played the game. Fair play to the striker, he tries his luck, he blocks the goalkeeper. He has a look, blocks him, looks across to the referee and you think surely not. VAR will sort this out. Luton players are not celebrating.
“It’s quiet. Everyone is ready to move on with the game and then he gives it.
“Look if the consistency is everyone can do it, it’s fine. If we’re not giving fouls for us, that’s fine. Crack on and I have another message to give my players.
“But we’ve had the softest penalty given against us against Aston Villa after two soft yellow cards that cost us a red card. I always tell my players careful with that, we can’t blame the refs. But I haven’t got a story. I don’t know what to say to my players. It’s ridiculous.
“Against Forest we had a goal disallowed we got an apology for. It keeps happening. It’s incredible. It’ll balance off I hope.
“This can’t decide a game. Something done by a bit of magic but not this. Not this.
“We’ll get up and we’ll keep going. It’s not even in my nature to complain about this. I don’t like this side of me. I told the lads I don’t know what to tell you. It’s bizarre.”
Reds too good for Gunners in the FA Cup | 00:54
Burnley defender Dara O’Shea was also struggling to understand the call when interviewed at fulltime.
“I can’t get my head around the decision,” O’Shea said post-game.
“None of us quite understand it and we don’t get any information on the pitch.
“We’re bitterly disappointed with the result. We defended very well.
“Keep going back to that decision and I just can’t understand it.”
“Elijah Adebayo does not go for the ball, it has to be a foul,” added former England defender Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports.
Luton manager Rob Edwards, meanwhile, told TNT Sports he thought it was a goal but added he felt for Kompany.
“I think Elijah Adebayo gets shoved into James Trafford, it is a goal — it is one of those,” he told TNT Sports.
“In the end emotions are high and it is difficult to speak about it and maybe I can be a bit fair. That is a big moment in the game and we deserved that. I do feel for Vinny [Kompany] and if it is a foul I will be honest.”
Luton remain third bottom, behind fourth bottom Everton on goal difference, while Burnley are second bottom and four points from safety.
It was a devastating blow for Kompany’s men, who were just seconds away from only their fourth win this term in a battle between two clubs promoted from the Championship last season and fighting to preserve their top-flight status.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Burnley. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP
The game was meant to be played next Tuesday, but Luton’s FA Cup third round replay against Bolton saw it had moved to Saturday with only five days’ notice, a switch that added extra tension to an already fraught encounter.
Beaten in their previous three matches, Burnley had managed only 20 goals in their first 20 games this season, a woeful lack of cutting edge that threatened their top-flight status.
Their profligacy showed no signs of ending when Johann Gudmundsson sprinted clean through on goal, only to shoot straight at Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski.
Luton tried to make the most of that early escape as Chiedozie Ogbene picked out Ross Barkley, whose curler forced a fine save from Trafford.
Ogbene tested Trafford himself, cutting inside for a powerful strike that almost went in at the near post.
Chelsea striker David Fofana was watching in the stands ahead of a reported loan move to Burnley after recently cutting short his temporary spell at Union Berlin.
The need for a clinical finisher was apparent when Wilson Odobert completely miskicked when the ball fell to him in the Luton area.
De Bruyne returns with trademark assist | 00:27
But Kompany’s men finally showed they know where the goal is, with the help of a little good luck in the 36th minute.
Odobert’s step-over bought him room for a cross that fortuitously deflected into the path of Amdouni, whose shot hit Gudmundsson on the line before going in.
Ogbene wasted a good chance to equalise after the interval, shooting straight at Trafford from Barkley’s pass.
Rising to meet Andros Townsend’s cross, Ogbene’s header was tipped over by Trafford moments later.
But Luton kept pressing and they were rewarded in debatable fashion when Morris nodded home from 10 yards after Adebayo’s block sent Trafford sprawling.
Andre Onana and Harry Maguire were the unlikely heroes as Manchester United kickstarted their Champions League campaign by beating FC Copenhagen 1-0 on the night Bobby Charlton was remembered at Old Trafford.
Much-maligned centre-back Maguire headed in the only goal 18 minutes from time before Onana saved Jordan Larsson’s penalty with the last kick of the game.
The English giants had lost their opening two Champions League group games for the first time in the club’s history, but are back in contention for the last 16 thanks to a much-needed win.
One of United’s greatest ever players, Charlton died on Saturday at the age of 86.
A moving tribute was paid to the 1966 World Cup winner before kick-off as United boss Erik ten Hag laid a wreath in the centre-circle before a minute’s silence was observed.
Ten Hag urged his players to be inspired by Charlton’s legacy after a difficult start to the season.
But the Dutchman would have been disheartened by another insipid first-half performance.
The Danish champions were inches away from going in front after just five minutes.
Maguire was caught in possession by Mohamed Elyounoussi and the former Southampton forward’s cross was turned onto the post by Diogo Goncalves.
The emotional atmosphere around Old Trafford prior to kick-off quickly turned to groans of frustration at the home side laboured to create anything of note before the break.
Ten Hag responded by introducing Danish international Christian Eriksen against his countrymen.
However, it was not until two more big chances for Copenhagen to take a shock lead that United awoke from their slumber.
– Onana proves his worth –
Onana made high-profile errors in both United’s Champions League defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
But the man who helped Inter Milan reach the final of last season’s competition showed why United splashed out £47 million on him in July.
Onana’a first crucial save of the game prevented Lukas Lerager’s shot finding the top corner.
Moments later Elias Achouri blasted a volley over when unmarked at the far post. Rasmus Hojlund is Eriksen’s heir as the great hope of the Danish international side, but he failed to shine against his former club.
Hojlund’s most telling contribution came in teeing up Eriksen for a powerful low drive that former Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara did brilliantly to turn behind.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Andre Onana redeemed himself after high profile errors earlier in the competition.Source: Getty Images
Marcus Rashford’s loss of form has contributed hugely to United’s struggles so far this season.
The England international, who scored 30 goals last season, has still netted only once this campaign and wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring with a heavy touch when one-on-one with Grabara.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho then did exactly the same with just Grabara to beat.
Instead centre-back Maguire bailed out his forwards to at least ensure Charlton’s farewell was marked with a victory.
The England international had fallen way down the pecking order during Ten Hag’s first season in charge, but is making the most of a series of defensive injuries that have brought him back into the fold.
Maguire just stayed onside to meet Eriksen’s cross with a bullet header 18 minutes from time.
United should have added a second as Garnacho and Scott McTominay passed up big chances to double the lead.
And they were nearly made to pay when McTominay was penalised for a high foot on Elyounoussi deep into stoppage time.
Larsson, son of former United striker Henrik Larsson, stepped forward but his powerful effort was turned behind by Onana to spark wild scenes of celebration.
Victory takes United above Copenhagen into third in Group A and within one point of Galatasaray.
Bayern are already closing in on qualification after a 3-1 win over Galatasaray made it three wins from three games for the German giants.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Harry Maguire scored the winner at Old Trafford.Source: Getty Images
CLASSY JESUS STEERS ARSENAL TO WIN OVER SEVILLA
Gabriel Jesus scored a sublime goal and created another to earn Arsenal an important 2-1 Champions League win over Sevilla on Tuesday, making up for their shock defeat at Lens earlier in October.
The Brazilian striker crafted Gabriel Martinelli’s opener with a masterful turn and pass and then doubled the Gunners’ lead with a lethal finish, as Mikel Arteta’s side moved top of Group B.
Arsenal moved up to six points, one ahead of Lens, with the French side drawing 1-1 at home against PSV Eindhoven, who are level on two points with Sevilla.
Diego Alonso’s team put up a spirited showing in the Uruguayan’s second match in charge, following their impressive and intense performance in a draw against La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Saturday.
However, Arsenal had more cutting edge in attack and Jesus’ quality made the difference in an entertaining clash in Andalusia — he has scored in each of his team’s matches in the competition.
Gabriel Jesus was on fire for Arsenal.Source: Getty Images
Sevilla boasted before kick-off with banners hailing their record seven Europa League triumphs, but in the heart of their defence they also have a four-time Champions League winner in Sergio Ramos.
The 37-year-old martialled the defence well as the hosts kept Arteta’s side at bay for the majority of the first half, which was bookended by Martinelli chances.
Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland saved the first, darting off his line quickly to deflect Martinelli’s shot back off the striker and out for a goal kick.
The hosts took control in driving rain at the rowdy Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, with Lucas Ocampos flicking wide and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya looking uncertain under pressure, giving the ball away on multiple occasions.
Arteta defended the Spain international after he made two mistakes in Saturday’s Premier League draw at Chelsea, with some fans demanding to see Aaron Ramsdale restored in goal, but the coach stuck with his compatriot.
Sevilla carved out their best chance of the first period moments before Arsenal took the lead, with Youssef En-Nesyri dragging an effort narrowly wide after breaking into the area.
After another Sevilla attack was cut short in stoppage time, Gabriel Jesus turned brilliantly in midfield to confound two Sevilla players and open up the pitch, before springing Martinelli through on goal with a quick pass.
The Brazilian showed composure to round Nyland and slot home on his Champions League debut with Ramos unable to catch him in pursuit.
Carpenter unfazed by online critics | 01:54
– Jesus decisive –
Arsenal last qualified for the tournament in 2017 and Arteta’s young side’s inexperience told in their defeat by Lens after having taken the lead, however this time they quickly found a second goal.
The otherwise quiet Martin Odegaard lashed over the bar early in the second half before Jesus dribbled into the box from the left flank and brilliantly thrashed a shot into the far top corner across Nyland.
Sevilla pulled one back just before the hour mark when Nemanja Gudelj headed home from Ivan Rakitic’s corner past the motionless Raya.
The Arsenal goalkeeper produced a spectacular save to tip Mariano Diaz’s effort on to the crossbar, although it would have been ruled out for a foul had it found a way in.
Sevilla beat Manchester United and Juventus last season at home in their Europa League run and refused to give in without trying everything, with former Tottenham winger Erik Lamela booked for diving in the area.
They turned the screw in the final stages, but Arsenal clung on for victory.
THREE IN THREE FOR BELLINGHAM AS REAL MADRID WIN IN BRAGA
Jude Bellingham scored his third goal in as many Champions League appearances for Real Madrid as the Spanish side won 2-1 away to Braga in Portugal on Tuesday.
Rodrygo put Real ahead and England star Bellingham made it 2-0 just after the hour mark, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side then holding on after Alvaro Djalo pulled one back for Braga.
The result leaves Madrid in a strong position with the maximum nine points from three games in Group C, three ahead of Napoli who beat Union Berlin 1-0 away in Germany.
After a cagey start, Nacho released Vinicius down the left flank and the Brazilian stood Serdar Saatci up before squaring for a sliding Rodrygo to give Madrid the lead on 16 minutes.
Madrid briefly thought they had doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time when Rodrygo slotted the ball into an empty net, but Vinicius had strayed offside as Eduardo Camavinga played him in near the halfway line.
Jude Bellingham can’t be stopped for Real Madrid.Source: Getty Images
Bellingham doubled Madrid’s lead on 61 minutes when he stroked the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after being teed up by Vinicius.
It was his 11th goal in all competitions for Real since joining the record 14-time European champions from Borussia Dortmund ahead of this season.
However, the home side halved the deficit just two minutes later when Djalo powered a near-post drive past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Braga then introduced the dangerous Bruma, who was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench. The change nearly paid off on 70 minutes when a Ricardo Horta drive was spooned just wide by Arrizabalaga.
Vinicius thought he had added a goal to his two assists on 82 minutes, but the assistant’s flag denied him with Madrid looking to kill off the game.
A VAR check for a penalty in the 89th minute was Braga’s last hope for an equaliser as Madrid ground out a hard-fought victory.
The Spanish side will be looking to book their place in the round of 16 when they host Braga in the return fixture on November 8.
Given the nod to start up front, Brazilian attacker Rodrygo will be hoping his goal will ensure his place in the starting XI for Saturday’s Clasico away to Barcelona.
UEFA Champions League results on Wednesday (AEDT)
Group A
Galatasaray (TUR) 1 (Icardi 30-pen) Bayern Munich (GER) 3 (Coman 8, Kane 73, Musiala 79)
Manchester United (ENG) 1 (Maguire 72) FC Copenhagen (DEN) 0
Liverpool fell behind for the fourth time in five matches this season but fought back to beat LASK 3-1 in Linz in the Europa League on Friday (AEST).
Elsewhere in the early matches in the first round of the group stage of the second-tier European competition, Romelu Lukaku earned last year’s beaten finalists Roma a 2-1 victory at Sheriff.
Bayer Leverkusen crushed Swedes Hacken 4-0, Rennes cruised past Maccabi Haifa 3-0 in France, Spaniards Villarreal lost 2-0 to Panathinakos in Greece.
Liverpool, playing in the Europa League for the first time since finishing runners up in 2016, changed their entire starting 11 away to LASK and quickly fell behind.
In the 14th minute, Sascha Horvath lobbed a corner to Florian Flecker just outside the Liverpool box. The Austrian midfielder controlled the dropping ball before smashing a rocket shot past Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal.
Darwin Nunez levelled with a 55th-minute penalty kick after Luis Diaz was brought down.
After 61 minutes, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp started to replace teenagers with regular starters.
Within two minutes they were ahead when Ryan Gravenberch burst down the right and crossed low for Diaz to score from close range.
Liverpool came back from a goal down to beat LASK. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Two minutes from the end Mohamed Salah, a second-half replacement, poked home a third.
In Moldova, Leandro Paredes scored four minutes into first-half injury time to give Roma the lead away to Sheriff.
Colombian Cristian Tovar levelled but Romelu Lukaku gave Jose Mourinho’s team a narrow victory.
Brighton were also given a brutal reality check of just how difficult European football is as they lost 3-2 to AEK Athens.
The Seagulls had to come from behind twice courtesy of two Joao Pedro penalties before AEK’s Ezequiel Ponce popped up in the 84th minute to secure three points at the Amex Stadium.
Manchester United will face Bayern Munich and Harry Kane in this season’s Champions League while Friday’s group stage draw also placed Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United together.
Bayern and United will be favourites to advance from Group A, which also includes FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray, the Turkish champions.
The ties between the Bundesliga champions and the Old Trafford club will evoke memories of the most famous meeting between the sides, in the 1999 Champions League final won 2-1 by United after a remarkable late comeback.
Van Dijk CHARGED after foul-mouthed rant | 00:48
England captain Kane, who recently moved to Germany from Tottenham Hotspur, tweeted a picture of the finalised groups on Thursday, saying: “Can’t wait for this.”
“It’ll be fascinating to see Harry Kane back in the UK,” former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports.
“I’m sure they [Manchester United] would have loved to have had him but he probably cost a little bit too much.”
Group F looks to be the toughest of all with Saudi-owned Newcastle facing AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund as well as Qatar-backed PSG.
Newcastle are appearing in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years and their lack of recent pedigree in Europe’s elite club competition meant they were left lurking dangerously among the sides in pot four for the draw.
“It’s a super group of death, three great teams – PSG, Dortmund, the yellow wall, and AC Milan,” Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales said.
Having held on to Kylian Mbappe, French champions PSG will be expected to advance to the last 16 but Newcastle will hope to finish ahead of Dortmund and a Milan team that got to the semi-finals last season.
“It’s an extremely tough group, we can’t hide from that, but hey, we take it,” Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky Germany.
“We hope we can achieve something exceptional.”
GRAPHIC: Newcastle captain’s wild brawl | 00:41
Fresh from winning the Champions League last season for the first time, City could hardly have asked for a kinder draw as they will take on RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys in Group G.
Pep Guardiola’s side can be expected to rack up the goals against the champions of Serbia and Switzerland, while City hammered Leipzig 8-1 on aggregate in the last 16 last season.
Back in the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17, Arsenal will face Europa League winners Sevilla, 1988 European Cup winners PSV Eindhoven and Lens of France in Group B.
PSV, who beat Rangers 7-3 on aggregate in the play-offs to reach the group stage, faced Arsenal in last season’s Europa League.
Lens are back in the Champions League for the first time in two decades but they have history with Arsenal.
The French side beat the Gunners 1-0 at Wembley in the Champions League group stage in 1998, while Arsenal came out on top when the teams clashed in the UEFA Cup semi-finals the following season.
City seal victory with late Rodri strike | 00:54
Real Madrid, the record 14-time champions who won the trophy in 2022, were drawn with Italian champions Napoli in Group C, which also features Braga of Portugal and Champions League debutants Union Berlin.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spent 18 months in charge of Napoli between 2018 and 2019.
Meetings between the teams have been rare, but Real beat the Napoli of Diego Maradona in the first round of the old European Cup in 1987.
Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona will take on Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp of Belgium in Group H.
Antwerp’s only appearance in Europe’s elite club competition before this season came in 1957/58, when they lost to Real Madrid in the first round.
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar will play home games in the competition this season in the German city of Hamburg.
Last season’s runners-up Inter Milan are in Group D with Portuguese champions Benfica, Red Bull Salzburg and Real Sociedad of Spain.
Scottish champions Celtic will face Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio in Group E.
Feyenoord, the Dutch champions, beat Celtic in the 1970 European Cup final. The first round of matches will be played on September 19 and 20, with the group stage concluding on December 13.
This is the last season of the group stage under the current format, which has been in place for two decades.
Next season UEFA will introduce an expanded group stage featuring 36 teams, up from the current 32, with every club playing eight matches instead of the current six in a format known as the “Swiss system”.
DRAW FOR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUPS STAGE
Group A: Bayern Munich (GER), Manchester United (ENG), FC Copenhagen (DEN), Galatasaray (TUR)
Group B: Sevilla (ESP), Arsenal (ENG), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Lens (FRA)
Group C: Napoli (ITA), Real Madrid (ESP), Braga (POR), Union Berlin (GER)
Group D: Benfica (POR), Inter Milan (ITA), Salzburg (AUT), Real Sociedad (ESP)
Group E: Feyenoord (NED), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Lazio (ITA), Celtic (SCO)
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), AC Milan (ITA), Newcastle United (ENG)
Group G: Manchester City (ENG), RB Leipzig (GER), Red Star Belgrade (SRB), Young Boys (SUI)
Group H: Barcelona (ESP), Porto (POR), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Royal Antwerp (BEL)
SCHEDULE
Matchday one: September 19-20
Matchday two: October 3-4
Matchday three: October 24-25
Matchday four: November 7-8
Matchday five: November 28-29 Matchday six: December 12-13
Marcus Rashford’s swerving strike from distance earned Manchester United a 1-0 win at Real Betis on Thursday and passage to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
The Red Devils and their counterparts from Andalucia played out an entertaining game at a lively Benito Villamarin stadium, with home fans believing for a while they could mount a comeback, despite their three-goal deficit.
Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Joaquin hit the post for Betis and Juanmi spurned two clear chances for the hosts as they started well.
However Rashford’s brilliant goal early in the second half quelled that idea and United saw the game out comfortably as Betis’ energy levels dipped.
Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag handed 21-year-old winger Facundo Pellistri his first start for the club in sun-washed Seville, after some bright cameos from the bench.
The Uruguayan youngster was instantly involved on a bright display, overcooking a cross from the right as United looked to put the game out of Betis’s reach straight away.
Marcus Rashford has been in fine form this season. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Wout Weghorst flung himself at a corner, flicked on by Casemiro, but it was too far for him to reach.
The hosts hit back, sending Juanmi through on goal, but the former Southampton forward dragged his shot wide of David de Gea’s far post.
Betis came even closer through 41-year-old veteran Joaquin, who crashed a drive from distance off the post.
United did not produce a shot on target in the first half but took the lead early in the second, through Rashford’s thunderbolt.
The forward, in remarkable form this season, missed two fine chances after the break but swiftly made amends with a vicious shot from outside the area which flew past Rui Silva and into the bottom corner.
It was Rashford’s sixth goal of the tournament and his 27th across all competitions this season, in 43 appearances.
FULL EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 RESULTS
Freiburg 0-2 Juventus (Juventus wins 3-0 on aggregate)
Feyenoord 7-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Feyenoord wins 8-1 on aggregate)
Real Betis 0-1 Manchester United (Manchester United wins 5-1 on aggregate)
Fenerbache 1-0 Sevilla (Sevilla wins 2-1 on aggregate)
Ferencvaros 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen (Bayer Leverkusen wins 3-0 on aggregate)
Real Sociedad 0-0 Roma (Roma wins 2-0 on aggregate)
Union Saint-Gilloise 3-0 Union Berlin (Union Saint-Gilloise wins 6-3 on aggregate)
Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (Sporting wins 3-3 on aggregate after penalty shootout)
Manchester United bounced back from a historic thrashing by Liverpool to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie, while a lucky 2-2 draw away to Sporting Lisbon gave Arsenal work to do to reach the quarter-finals.
United equalled their heaviest ever defeat and worst since 1931 in losing 7-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag responded by naming the same starting line-up and was rewarded with a return to form.
Marcus Rashford smashed United into an early lead with his 26th goal of the season, but Betis levelled against the run of play when Ayoze Perez fired into the far corner.
The visitors could even have gone in front before halftime when Perez’s deflected cross came back off the post.
Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
But it was two of United’s most fiercely criticised stars in recent days who made the difference after the break.
Antony curled a brilliant shot into the top corner before Bruno Fernandes, who Ten Hag named again as captain, headed in Luke Shaw’s corner.
Wout Weghorst then netted just his second goal in 15 appearances for United by pouncing from close range six minutes from time.
Manchester United’s Dutch striker Wout Weghorst (C) appeared to be in tears after scoring – having missed a host of chances during the game.Source: AFP
Premier League leaders Arsenal were forced to come from behind to salvage a draw in the Portuguese capital.
Despite going for a first league title in 19 years, Mikel Arteta named a relatively strong side and William Saliba headed the visitors into the lead.
Sporting equalised shortly after in near identical fashion, with Goncalo Inacio heading home Marcus Edwards’ corner.
Former Tottenham midfielder Edwards then had a role in Sporting’s second as Paulinho reacted quickest to finish inside the area.
Arsenal were level just after the hour mark, though, when Granit Xhaka’s cross deflected off the unfortunate Hidemasa Morita and rebounded into his own net.
A lengthy VAR check followed, but the goal was confirmed despite what appeared to be a clear foul by Saka in the build-up.
“Considering you concede two goals away from home and still escape with a draw you have to take some positives,” said Arsenal boss Arteta.
“But we gave them too much hope by giving the ball away in our own half too many times.”
Juventus will take a narrow lead to Germany next week after the in-form Angel di Maria scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Freiburg.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma are also on course for the last eight after goals from Stephan El Shaarawy and Marash Kumbulla saw off Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Six-time winners Sevilla may be fighting a relegation battle in La Liga, but are always a threat in the Europa League and will take a 2-0 first leg lead over Fenerbahce to Istanbul next week thanks to goals from Joan Jordan and Erik Lamela.
The game of the night saw Bundesliga surprise package Union Berlin snatch a 3-3 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise despite having trailed three times.
Bayer Leverkusen beat Ferencvaros 2-0 at home, while Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord played out a 1-1 draw.
In the UEFA Conference League, Michael Antonio hit two first half goals to earn West Ham a 2-0 win at AEK Larnaca.
Villarreal were held 1-1 away at Anderlecht, while Nice and Fiorentina took 1-0 leads over Sheriff Tiraspol and Sivasspor respectively.
