Bruno Fernandes’ extra-time penalty sent Manchester United into the Europa League semi-finals as they fought past FC Copenhagen on a sweltering night in Cologne.
United were frustrated for much of the evening by a combination of the woodwork, disallowed goals and the brilliance of Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson as normal time finished goalless.
In 30-degree-plus heat, an extra half hour was the last thing anyone needed, but Fernandes’ spot-kick eventually earned a 1-0 win to ensure United’s stay in Germany for this novel mini-tournament goes on.
Having rotated for the formality of last week’s last-16 second leg against LASK, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to the bulk of his first-choice XI, making six changes.
They were sluggish out of the blocks, though, and haad some good defending from Eric Bailly to thank for denying Mohamed Daramy the chance to open the scoring, before Harry Maguire blocked from the same player and Paul Pogba also made a crucial intervention.
They did have a penalty briefly awarded for a foul on Anthony Martial in the six-yard box, only for VAR to spot Maguire offside in the build-up and overturn the decision.
Before the half was out they saw a goal chalked off for the same reason, this time Mason Greenwood the man flagged after he’d whipped home a terrific finish via the upright.
The ball was in the net again after the restart, Greenwood once more striking against the upright and this time the ball ricocheting back to Marcus Rashford, who tapped home but well aware that he was clearly offside.
Bruno Fernandes crashed a wicked striker off the far post from range but the Danish side were still a threat on the counter attack, substitute Bryan Oviedo thwarted by Bailly’s latest block after outrageous skill from Rasmus Falk.
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Martial must’ve thought he’d won it with a right-footed striker six minutes from the end of normal time but Johnsson produced a stunning one-handed save to set up extra-time.
Martial was again kept out by the Copenhagen ‘keeper at the beginning of extra-time but within moments he was felled by Andreas Bjelland and this time when the referee pointed to the spot there would be no reprieve for the Danes, as the decision stood and Fernandes lashed home a clinical effort.
In the end, United’s dominance was clear and should really have been reflected on the scoreboard, but Johnsson was in inspired form, denying Martial again as well as substitute Juan Mata twice.
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30 mins: Just a bit more tempo about United after that break. Copenhagen look solid at the back but Rashford almost unlocks the door with a clever lifted pass to the back-post. Just too much on it for Martial.
25 mins: That'll be drinks...
22 mins: VAR - no penalty.
What a bizarre incident. The ball is crossed to the back-post where Harry Maguire heads across goal and Bruno Fernandes has a glorious chance but heads over via the top of the crossbar.
While he's got his head in his hands, the referee is pointing to the spot, though, adjudging that one of the other United players attacking it - both Martial and Rashford were - were being held.
After all that, the linesman's flag goes up and VAR confirms that Maguire was offside in the first place. As you were.
21 mins: Penalty to Manchester United!
Or is it...
James Robson, Manchester correspondent
Very shaky from United defensively so far. Solskjaer has been largely happy with his defence this season, but there is a feeling he needs to strengthen further with a top quality partner for Maguire.
17 mins: United all over the shop!
Daramay has it in space inside the box instead but this time he sells Bailly a dummy and it's Maguire who has to sprint across and make a block. That only takes the ball as far as Stage, but he's rather put off his finish by an acrobatic attempt at a volley by a teammate in front of him and Pogba is able to block in front of Romero.
15 mins: Big chance!
Copenhagen work it nicely across the pitch to Biel and he squeezes it into the middle but Daramy can't sort his feet out before Bailly intervenes.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka's down and undergoing some concussion checks after being hit in the face by a vicious cross from Boilesen from point-blank range. He looks okay but Boilesen does not - he's tweaked something hitting that and has to make way. Pierre Bengtsson is on.
9 mins: First real shot at goal of the night as Rashford lines up a long-range free-kick but he gets his contact all wrong and drags it low and well wide.
6 mins: Some lovely football from United, Fred drilling a wonderful ball on the diagonal into the back post for Fernandes. The Portuguese does the right thing in heading back across goal but martial is on his heels and hasn't anticipated it.
4 mins: Decent start from United a Rashford makes a good run in behind and is nearly picked out, before the resulting corner is easily cleared.
We will be having a drinks break this evening, by the way, because of the stifling heat.