PARIS: Manchester United drew 1-1 away to Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, while Tottenham suffered a 1-0 loss away to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Joshua Zirkzee drilled in from just outside the area to give United the lead on 57 minutes in San Sebastian but Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the spot after Bruno Fernandes was punished for a handball.
Zirkzee cut a distraught figure after missing the decisive penalty in last week’s FA Cup shootout loss to Fulham and has endured a testing first season at United, whose only remaining hope of silverware is in the Europa League.
He scored for the first time in Europe this term, unleashing a sharp low drive from 20 yards after being teed up by Alejandro Garnacho’s inviting pass.
But Ruben Amorim’s side could not hold on to their advantage as Fernandes handled at a corner, with Oyarzabal confidently converting his spot-kick.
Andre Onana made two excellent saves to keep United level as Real Sociedad pressed for a winner, leaving the tie evenly poised ahead of next week’s second leg.
“I felt until the penalty we had control of the game and then I think the penalty changed a little bit the momentum,” Amorim told TNT Sports.
“I felt our team in the last 30 minutes were really, really tired,” he added.
“We take this stage to Old Trafford... it’s going to be a different game, the pressure is going to be on us in that stadium and we have to be ready.”
Lucas Bergvall’s first-half own goal condemned Spurs to defeat in the Netherlands, and it could have been worse for Ange Postecoglou’s side were it not for two fine saves from Guglielmo Vicario.
Rangers recorded an impressive 3-1 win away to a Fenerbahce team coached by Jose Mourinho.
Cyriel Dessers put Rangers ahead early on in Istanbul before Alexander Djiku hauled Fenerbahce level.
Vaclav Cerny restored the lead for the Scots before striking again nine minutes from time to place Rangers in firm control under interim boss Barry Ferguson.
Lyon also took a big stride toward the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory at Romanians FCSB.
Paulo Fonseca fought back tears as his players celebrated Nicolas Tagliafico’s opener with him, a day after the Portuguese coach was banned from the dugout until November by French football officials after an angry altercation with a referee.
Malick Fofana won the game for Lyon with two late goals after Alexandru Baluta had equalized for FCSB.
Roma host Athletic Bilbao later on Thursday, while Ajax are at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Lazio travel to Viktoria Plzen for the first leg of their tie.
Man Utd draw in Spain in Europa League last 16 as Spurs beaten
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Man Utd draw in Spain in Europa League last 16 as Spurs beaten
- “I felt until the penalty we had control of the game and then I think the penalty changed a little bit the momentum,” Amorim told TNT Sports
- Rangers recorded an impressive 3-1 win away to a Fenerbahce team coached by Jose Mourinho
Benzema hat-trick helps Al-Ittihad to a comfortable win over 10-man Al-Kholood
- The 4-0 win saw the reigning champions climb to fifth in the Saudi Pro League table, but still a sizeable nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal
DUBAI: Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick as Al-Ittihad extended their recent improved run of form to beat hosts Al-Kholood 4-0 and climb to fifth in the Saudi Pro League table.
The reigning champions now have 26 points from 13 matches and remain nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr sit in second with 31 points, ahead of Al-Taawoun on goal difference, while Al-Qadsiah are fourth with 27 points.
A difficult fixture for Al-Kholood became almost impossible when defender William Troost-Ekong received a straight red as early as the eighth minute. It came as little surprise that Ittihad would quickly overwhelm the beleaguered home team, with Benzema opening the scoring on 13 minutes from the penalty spot and then doubling the lead on 28 minutes, converting from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti’s assist.
The Frenchman completed his treble in the 35th minute, tapping home Moussa Diaby’s low cross from close range in a very similar manner to his second goal. Saleh Al-Shehri completed the rout six minutes from the end to secure a fourth straight SPL win for the club.
Earlier in the day, Al-Taawoun beat 10-man Al-Shabab 2-0 at home to stay third in the table. Roger Martinez opened the scoring with a 27th minute penalty, nine minutes after the away team’s MohammedAl-Shwirekh had received his marching orders. Angelo Fulgini scored the second in first half stoppage to secure three points and ensure Al-Taawoun bounced back from last week’s loss to Al-Ittihad.
In Friday’s other match, Al-Khaleej claimed a comprehensive 4-0 win over Damac, who had been reduced to 10 men after only 24 minutes. Al-Khaleej sit in ninth place in the standings, while Damac are 14th.
