Cunha Scores Twice in Three Minutes as Manchester United Come Back From 2-0 Down to Beat Roma 3-2

Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, in Matchday 4 of the Champions League league phase. Matheus Cunha scored the equaliser in the 83rd minute and the winner three minutes later, then picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time and was sent off.

Roma started far better. Matias Soule was given room inside the area and scored in the 10th minute, his first goal in the Champions League. Eight minutes later a shot struck the outstretched arm of Ayden Heaven, Roma had a penalty, and Donyell Malen converted it for 2-0. United went in at half time two goals down, second best in most areas of the pitch.

The turnaround

United improved after the break and got back into the match in the 58th minute. Gianluca Mancini brought down Cunha inside the box and Bruno Fernandes stepped up. His first penalty was missed, the kick was ordered to be retaken, and the captain scored at the second attempt, driving the ball high into the left corner. The goal was the fourth Champions League penalty Fernandes has scored for United, level with Wayne Rooney. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy, with five, has scored more for the club in the competition, according to Opta figures cited by TNT Sports.

Roma still led with seven minutes to play, and their defence then gave the match away in three minutes. In the 83rd minute Fernandes crossed from the right, Leonardo Balerdi missed his clearance, and Cunha turned the loose ball in from close range. In the 86th minute Shea Lacey played Cunha through on the right of the area, and he smashed a finish past goalkeeper Devis Vasquez at the near post. Cunha was booked for taking his shirt off in the celebration, and a foul in stoppage time brought his second yellow card of the night and a red.

What it means

The win eases some of the pressure on head coach Michael Carrick, whose side had gone nine games without a win in all competitions before Tuesday, according to The Times. It is United's second win in this season's Champions League league phase. Roma arrived in Manchester unbeaten in six away matches in UEFA competition, with three wins and three draws, according to Opta figures cited by TNT Sports, and they leave with nothing after holding a two-goal lead for more than an hour.

There was an odd echo in the away dugout. Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini was in charge of Atalanta in October 2021, when his team also led 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Champions League, and also lost 3-2.