Ronaldo tops Messi, Man Utd eliminated

BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

Cristiano Ronaldo got the better of Lionel Messi by scoring two penalties to lead Juventus to a 3-0 win at Barcelona yesterday, dealing the Spanish side their first home defeat in the Champions League in seven years.

With both teams already through, Ronaldo converted spot kicks for Juventus’ 13th-minute opener and a third goal early in the second half after US midfielder Weston McKennie had doubled the advantage in the 20th.

Messi and Ronaldo briefly embraced with one arm behind each other’s back and exchanged a few words before kick-off at a Camp Nou that remains empty because of coronavirus restrictions.

But only Ronaldo enjoyed the revival of their longstanding rivalry that enthralled fans for almost a decade when he played at Real Madrid before leaving for Italy in 2018. Twice Ronaldo celebrated with his trademark leap, twist, and thrust of both arms downward as he roared out his goals.

While Ronaldo benefited from errors by Barcelona’s defence, Messi was left to carry the workload for the frustrated hosts. The Argentina star was unable to beat Gianluigi Buffon on his five shots on target.

Juventus clinched first place in Group G on a better head-to-head record in the group with the two sides finishing level on 15 points. Both teams had already comfortably qualified for the next stage prior to the match.

Ronaldo was unable to play in Barcelona’s 2-0 win in Turin in October after the Portugal forward had tested positive for COVID-19.

HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUPS

Barcelona’s record of 38 home games without a loss in Europe’s top-tier tournament began in September 2013.

Including matches with Ronaldo at Manchester United and two friendlies between Argentina and Portugal, Messi and Ronaldo have now faced off 36 times. Messi has won 16 times and Ronaldo 11 with nine encounters ending in a draw. Messi has scored 22 goals and Ronaldo 21 in their head-to-head matchups.

Ronaldo struck first from the penalty spot following a shoulder-to-shoulder collision with defender Ronald Araújo in the area. He coolly drilled his kick down the centre while Marc-Andre ter Stegen dived to his left.

Juventus’ pressure gave them control of the early phase, and a second goal came when Barcelona’s two central defenders completely lost concentration in the heart of the box.

McKennie played the ball wide to Juan Cuadrado, floated unbothered to the penalty spot and the American was unmarked by either Aráujo or Clement Lenglet to volley home a cross from Cuadrado.

Messi tried to rally Barcelona, but another defensive blunder sent Ronaldo back to the spot in the 52nd after a video review alerted the referee that Lenglet had used his hand to swat a ball in the box.

TOO MANY MISTAKES

“We committed mistakes that just can’t happen,” Ter Stegen said about his team’s defence, which was missing injured leader Gerard Pique. “There are two things, the individual mistakes and the way we are defending. When we let our focus slip, we concede goals. We have to be stronger, do our homework and continue to work hard.”

Meanwhile, three-time European champions Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League after losing 3-2 at Leipzig.

The German team’s win assured them of progression to the knockout stage with a three-point lead over United in Group H. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which are level on points with United, are also through to the last 16 due to their better head-to-head record against United.

PSG’s game with İstanbul Başakşehir was suspended after about 15 minutes at 0-0 when players walked off the field after alleging that fourth official Sebastian Coltescu of Romania used a racial slur against Başakşehir assistant coach Pierre Webo.

United got off to a terrible start with Angeliño opening the scoring in the second minute. Marcel Sabitzer floated in a perfect cross and Angeliño rushed in to thump the ball into the far corner.

Angeliño soon followed up his goal with a cross for Amadou Haidara, who scored with a volley in the 13th.

Just as United was getting stronger, however, Justin Kluivert made it 3-0 in the 69th. United’s defence failed to deal with the ball after Christopher Nkunku diverted Angeliño’s cross into the area and Kluivert chipped the outrushing ‘keeper.

Fernandes pulled one back with a penalty in the 80th after Konaté was adjudged to have fouled Mason Greenwood and Pogba made it 3-2 two minutes later when he powered in a header from a corner via Konaté’s thigh and Gulácsi’s arm.