UCL: Manchester United Earn Majestic Win to Qualify for Quarter-finals Alongside Borussia Dortmund
Robin van Persie scored a stunning hat-trick to lift the pressure on David Moyes and send Manchester United through to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on an epic night of high drama at Old Trafford.
Van Persie, who left the pitch on a stretcher late on, converted a first-half penalty and scored on the brink of half-time before he struck the final goal of the 3-0 win with a free-kick just after the restart.
The last time the Red Devils came back from 2-0 down in the first leg was 30 years ago when Bryan Robson inspired the team to a rousing 3-0 win over a Barcelona side that included Diego Maradona. Tonight however, it was the turn of Ryan Giggs to champion the team.
Moyes, who received support from the Old Trafford crowd throughout, may have endured a poor domestic season, but his European dream is still alive thanks to this impressive comeback.
At home in Germany, Borussia Dortmund eased into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League despite a 2-1 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg, securing their passage with a 4-2 away win at hand.
Hulk’s 16th-minute wonder strike for Zenit was cancelled out by Sebastian Kehl seven minutes before half-time, and although Zenit substitute Rondon scored a second with 17 minutes to go, there was little threat of them getting back on level terms. Star striker, Robert Lewandowski, however got a second yellow card, ruling him out of their next match.
