Juan Mata scored the goal that Manchester United needed to even the match, a brilliant free kick in a game that seemed lost. The international Spaniard only needed 7 minutes to score the equalizer. Minutes later, an own goal from Juventus certified the final 1-2 for Man U. The Red Devils are near the next round in Champions and will play against Man City in a few days.
Juan Mata’s quality on free kicks and set pieces was crucial tonight for Manchester United. The international Spaniard only needed 6 minutes since he came in to even the match at the Juventus Stadium. He did it with a brilliant free kick that Szczęsny couldn’t reject. It was the 86′ and on the 90′, another set piece ended up with an own goal. With this spectacular ending, United came back a 1-0 from Cristiano Ronaldo (65′) and took 3 points that are crucial.
.@juanmata8‘s free-kick was @ManUtd’s 500th goal in European Champion Clubs’ Cup/UEFA Champions League history. ?
Vía @UEFAcom pic.twitter.com/ddAcJkbOhm
— ImagoSport (@ImagoSport) 7 de noviembre de 2018
If only some weeks ago Juan scored a free kick against Newcastle becoming the free kick top scorer of the Premier since August 2011 (8 goals), this time Juan scored his first free kick goal in the Champions League. He couldn’t have chosen a better scenary: the stadium of one of the favourite teams to win the Champions. The Italian champions, nevertheless, hadn’t lost a single match this season until tonight.
Juan Mata’s game by numbers vs. Juventus:
11 minutes
9 touches
6 (100%) passes completed
1 shot
1 goalChanged the game. pic.twitter.com/J0ZcgYgrgK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 7 de noviembre de 2018
Mata was named Man of the Match. This win leaves Man United with 7 points, in the 2nd position of Group H and at only 2 points from Juventus. Also, it lets the team confront Man City’s match with optimism.
? @JuanMata8 reflects on a massive #UCL win for #MUFC and talks us through THAT free-kick… pic.twitter.com/gilGiu6ZOB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) 7 de noviembre de 2018
