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Man Utd vs Barcelona

Luke Shaw own-goal ends 48-pass Barça move

The Champions League quarter-final first leg between Manchester United and Barcelona was decided by a single goal, and the build-up to it deserves a mention.

Update:
Luke Shaw own-goal ends 48-pass Barça move

The Champions League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford saw two of the giants of world football go head to head. Narratives were being created around Messi and Pogba, Der Stegen and De Gea, Suárez and Rashford. In the end, the only goal came via an unfortunate Luke Shaw deflection.

United's Shaw adds finish to Barça possession

Barcelona had started the game brightly and it was clear early on that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, clearly worried about the dangers of the LaLiga champions, wanted his side still to be in the tie by the time they kicked off the second leg at the Camp Nou. But the dreaded away goal arrived before United had even got into the match.

Luke Shaw own-goal ends 48-pass Barça move
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Luke Shaw own-goal ends 48-pass Barça move

As Luis Suárez headed the ball back across goal - possibly trying to find the onrushing Coutinho to tap home - defender Luke Shaw's arm diverted it into his own net. VAR was called upon to check for offside in the build-up but the goal being given was never in question. What seemed to be missed by many onlookers, though, was the patient possession that led to the winning moment. As can be seen from the graphic above, the 48-passes that ended with Busquets to Messi to Suárez, was touched at least once by every single Barça player on the pitch, including goalkeeper Ter Stegen.