A howler from Jesse Lingard allowed Young Boys to score a last-minute goal which would beat Manchester United in their opening game of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League. Elsewhere, reigning champions Chelsea began their title defence with a victory over Zenit.
Cristiano Ronaldo started up top for United, three days after his heroics against Newcastle United in the Premier League match (5-1). The Portuguese was set up for the game’s opening goal by compatriot Bruno Fernandes, whose outside-of-the-boot pass found the talisman unmarked inside the box. Ronaldo’s first-time shot squirmed under goalkeeper David von Ballmoos.
Trouble came in the 35th minute for the Red Devils when Wan-Bissaka received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge. Defending with a man down, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took off Ronaldo, Fernandes, and Jadon Sancho, in place of defensive reinforcements, in the second half.
However, they proved to be futile as Young Boys scored twice in the final half-hour. Moumi Ngamaleu levelled the scores in the 66th minute before another striker, Jordan Siebatcheu, took advantage of a poor back pass from Jesse Lingard to score the winner with almost the last kick of the match.
Later on in the night, champions Chelsea took on Zenit Saint Petersburg. Romelu Lukaku retained his spot up-front and was flanked on either side by Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech.
The trio failed to combine to great effect in the first half, and the Blues were left largely frustrated by a well-drilled Russian side.
The only goal of the game arrived in the 69th minute when Lukaku rose highest to head in a Cesar Azpilicueta cross. The Belgian scored his fourth goal in four games for Thomas Tuchel’s side, as the incumbent champions began their quest to retain the title with a win.
