While FC Barcelona didn’t play its best or prettiest game at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, they return home happy with their 0-1 win over a scrappy Manchester United squad.
In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-Finals, Barcelona had no easy task. They were matched up against legendary English club Man U and superstars such as Paul Pogba and David de Gea.
Despite coming in as one of the favorites to win the tournament, Barcelona wasn’t expected to have it easy at Old Trafford.
It looked like it might be Barcelona’s night in only the 13th minute of the game. A Lionel Messi cross found Luis Suárez right in front of the far post of the goal. The Uruguayan striker headed the ball off of Man U defender Luke Shaw, and the ball was diverted into the net.
This is where Barcelona scored their goal and took the lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
The drama wasn’t over for the day, however.
In the 31st minute of the match, Messi jumped to contest an aerial matchup with Man U defender Chris Smalling.
Messi was involuntarily smacked across the face by Smalling’s hand, and he crumpled to the ground with blood pouring from his nose.
While he was able to continue, it looks likely that he suffered a broken nose in the collision.
Man U was unable to find the net despite looking stronger in the second half, and the draw will move back to Camp Nou with a slight Barcelona advantage next Tuesday night.
