A stunning long-range strike from Cristiano Ronaldo sent Manchester United into the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 win at Porto and set-up a mouth watering tie with Arsenal. The Portuguese powered home a spectacular drive in the sixth minute as the holders secured a tense 3-2 aggregate victory. With the win United became the first British side to win at the Estadio do Dragao in 23 attempts over 41 years.
Champions League Semi-finals First Leg April 29
Manchester United v Arsenal – Buy Manchester United – Arsenal Tickets
Champions League Semi-finals Second Leg May 5
Arsenal v Manchester United – Buy Arsenal – Manchester United Tickets
Needing to become the first English team to beat the Portuguese giants on their own ground, Ronaldo’s amazing 35-yard drive was worthy of achieving that fine feat. The sixth-minute effort was his 20th goal of the season and only his second in the Champions League since completing that astonishing haul of 42 in last year’s final in Moscow. Porto pushed forward late on in search of a goal which would have taken the 2004 champions through, but Rolando’s far-post header was the best they could manage as United won through.
Arsenal have been portrayed as a club in crisis this season but they are now two cup semi-finals after sweeping past Villarreal 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie were on the scoresheet as Arsene Wenger’s youngsters defied their injury worries in defense to wrap up the tie 4-1 on aggregate within an hour and set up the with Manchester United.
Walcott got the ball rolling in the 10th minute when Emmanuel Eboue slipped the ball forward from the right and Cesc Fabregas’ flick allowed him to run through on goal, with the England winger chipping home high over goalkeeper Diego Lopez. The second goal game on the hour-mark when the impressive Van Persie sent through Adebayor, who took one touch before finishing past Lopez with the outside of his boot. And the third came from the spot when Diego Godin fouled Walcott, Eguran was shown a second yellow card for dissent against the decision and Van Persie kept his nerve to fire in the spot-kick.
The emergence of Chelsea and Liverpool may have taken the edge off battles between Manchester United and Arsenal over the past few years. But the renewal of hostilities promises to be spectacular.
Champions League Semi-finals First Leg April 29
Manchester United v Arsenal – Buy Manchester United – Arsenal Tickets
Champions League Semi-finals Second Leg May 5
Arsenal v Manchester United – Buy Arsenal – Manchester United Tickets
