Manchester United denied by Raphinha’s equaliser for Barcelona

Luke Shaw had said that this would show Manchester United where they are, just how real their revival is, and Barcelona felt much the same way. The answer may not be conclusive yet, and they’ll have to wait a week to see whether or not they are even in the Europa League proper, but on Thursday night at least it was clear: somewhere good. When Ronald Araújo leaped at the far post to head the final chance, it was the 35th attempt on goal of what had turned out to be an open, enjoyable and unexpectedly wild night. Four of them went in and it was a lot of fun.

Marcos Alonso scored the first, then Marcus Rashford the second on a night where he scared an entire stadium every time he set off, before a Jules Koundé own goal seemed likely to send United into the second leg with the lead. For a while, in fact, it looked like it might put them through, full stop. Barcelona looked beaten. But then they were born again, Raphinha’s cross turning into a shot and this stadium turning into a mad house, the final minutes belonging more to Barcelona.

In the end, though, it finished level at 2-2. Next week will decide, and when the analyses are made the advantage may be seen to be United’s: they return to Old Trafford, where Barcelona must go without Gavi, who will be suspended, or Pedri, who was taken off here. For now, though, this was just an indication that these clubs can at least serve up a spectacle, that their domestic form means something. Not that it was the same.

Barcelona had conceded just once in their last seven games in all competitions, and seven times all season in La Liga, but this would be different, they knew. And should there be any doubts, there was a very early reminder, Bruno Fernandes’s ball flashing across the