Manchester United vs Young Boys LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the reaction from Old Trafford in the final group stage clash
A second-string Manchester United drew 1-1 with Switzerland’s Young Boys in Champions League Group F at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
United were already assured of top spot in the group and a place in the last 16 while Young Boys finish bottom and are eliminated.
Interim United manager Ralf Rangnick made 11 changes from the team which beat Crystal Palace on Sunday and his makeshift side made an ideal start when Mason Greenwood’s super volley in the ninth minute put them ahead.
Young Boys drew level three minutes before the interval when United’s Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek gave away the ball on the edge of his own box and Fabian Rieder curled it into the corner.
United struggled to find any fluency after the break and Young Boys wasted several chance to win the game, most noticeably when Quentin Maceiras was found in space on the penalty spot but poked his shot wide.
Second place in the group will not be decided until Thursday after the match between Atalanta and Villarreal was postponed because of heavy snow in Bergamo, Italy.
Sign up to The Independent’s free weekly sports newsletters
To sign up to our free sport newsletters for regular updates straight to your inbox.
Whether you would like a weekly rundown direct from our chief football writer Miguel Delaney or you want weekly sport digest from our sport editor Ben Burrows you can sign up by clicking here and scrolling to the sport section.
News | The Independent | Today's headlines and latest breaking news | The Independent
The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.
Zenit 2 - 1 Chelsea
Timo Werner’s goal after just 1 minutes and 23 seconds is the fastest goal Chelsea have ever scored in the Champions League, overtaking Joh Terry’s 1:26 strike against FC Schalke in November 2014.
Zenit 2 - 1 Chelsea
In the other early kick off Juventus are beating Malmo 1-0 at half-time meaning that if things stay as they are Chelsea will finish second in the group with Juve securing top spot.
The Blues will need to score twice without reply if they want to finish at the top of Group H.
Half-time: Zenit 2 - 1 Chelsea
45+1 mins: A lot of action to talk about in this first half. Timo Werner sent Chelsea in front before two minutes were on the clock. Chelsea then seemingly lost their way and Zenit took advantage of a couple of mistakes to get in on goal. Claudinho netted the equaliser and SardarAzmoun sent the home side in front a couple of minutes later. There’s work for Chelsea to do here.
Zenit 2 - 1 Chelsea
43 mins: Save! Malcom brings the ball forward through the midfield and slots Azmoun in behind Christensen again. He takes the ball into the box and hits a left footed chip towards the back post. Kepa sticks out his left hand and palms the ball into the ground. A couple more inches to the right and that’s a third goal for Zenit. Good work from Kepa.
GOAL! Zenit 2 - 1 Chelsea (Azmoun, 41’)⚽️
41 mins: Turnaround! Barkley gives the ball away in the centre circle and a simple pass up to Azmoun plays him in behind. He spins off the shoulder of Christensen and sweeps into the box. Kepa comes out again but Azmoun shifts the ball away from the Chelsea keeper and softly guides a diagonal shot into the open goal.
GOAL! Zenit 1 - 1 Chelsea (Claudinho, 38’)⚽️
38 mins: Well, they’ve deserved that! Malcom drives the ball into the box and Saul fails to clear a loose pass. The ball spoons over to Azpilicueta who manages to knock it out as far as Douglas Santos. Claudinho makes a run from deep and gpes straight through the middle of the box. It looks like Sarr is playing him onside as Santos’ cross comes into the six-yard box. Claudinho throws himself at the ball and heads it past Kepa. The goalkeeper had no chance of stopping it.
Zenit 0 - 1 Chelsea
36 mins: Close! Azmoun makes another good run into the box and receives the pass. Christensen attempts to win back the ball but he’s shrugged off as the Zenit forward carries the ball to the byline. He cuts it back for Kuzyaev but Saul nips in front of the midfielder and works it clear for the Blues.
Zenit 0 - 1 Chelsea
33 mins: SAVE! Werner shakes off a challenge and drives the ball to the front edge of the box. He gives it to Lukaku on the right side of the area. The forward rolls the ball onto his left foot and flicks a lovely pass to the opposite post. Mount arrives and volleys the ball into the ground but Kerzhakov has the post covered and he keeps out the shot!
Zenit 0 - 1 Chelsea
30 mins: Chelsea win another corner that Barkley flicks towards the near post. Saul breaks off his marker and meets the ball in the air with a floaty header towards the far top corner. The ball doesn’t drop in time though and lands on the roof of the net.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments