Manchester United will have Harry Maguire’s late equalizer to thank for helping them grab a 3-3 draw from the jaws of defeat at Porto, who couldn’t maintain their lead after a dramatic comeback.
After a promising start in which the hosts had called United’s goalkeeper to action through Samu Omorodion, their momentum came to an abrupt end before the first ten minutes, when Marcus Rashford swiftly dashed into the box, evading the few challenges from the Porto defenders before beating a slouchy Diogo Costa at the near post.
Subsequently, another surge for the hosts followed United’s early lead, and Rashford punished them once again. Christian Eriksen had pressed one of Porto’s midfielders and laid a pass to the rampant Rashford, who fed Rasmus Højlund, and the young Dane beat Costa in the second time of asking at his near post to give Ten Hag’s side an unlikely lead in Porto.
The two quick-fire goals brought out the best in Porto, and they rallied to parity in an interesting seven minutes of the first period via two scintillating crosses from João Mário. Pépé was the first player to react to a fine save from Onana and bundled in Porto’s opener.
Mário’s next cross into United’s box was met by Samu, who beat Matthijs de Ligt to thump a header into the roof of Onana’s net.
Erik Ten Hag’s decision to remove Rashford – possibly for another huge task against Villa on Sunday after halftime – backfired earnestly as his side succumbed to another goal, giving Porto their first lead of the night.
Nico González sent Pépé away down the right, and the Brazilian returned it to Omorodion, who drifted in at the near post and rifled into the top corner.
It wasn’t long after that Bruno Fernandes was shown his second yellow – both for a high boot – to be sent off for the second successive match.
Porto came extremely close to notching their fourth of the night when Deniz Gül’s one-on-one attempt was saved by Onana, and the hosts paid for it when Maguire rose highest from a corner in the other half to head home and equalled the visitors in the stoppage time.
