Nico Paz scores twice as Como beat Manchester United 4-1

Nico Paz scored twice and supplied an assist as Como beat Manchester United 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday. Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón also scored for Cesc Fàbregas’s side, before Joshua Zirkzee replied in stoppage time. Match reports from GOAL and TUDN detailed a game that Como controlled after taking an early lead.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHVv62Hxm-g

Heavy rain had raised doubts about whether the match could proceed, according to GOAL, but the teams were able to complete their warm-ups and play. United then had an opportunity to strike first through Diogo Dalot. His unsuccessful attempt was followed by Paz moving the ball onto his left foot and beating Senne Lammens to put the hosts ahead.

Como reached half-time with that one-goal advantage. Michael Carrick introduced Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo at the interval, but the changes did not prevent United from falling further behind. GOAL reported that Paz sent Douvikas through for the second goal, with the forward getting beyond Matthijs de Ligt before finishing past Lammens.

TUDN recorded Douvikas’s goal in the 49th minute and Paz’s second in the 57th, leaving United three goals down before the hour. Ramón added a header in the 76th minute to extend the lead again. Zirkzee’s late response reduced the deficit, but United had conceded three times in the second half before finding a goal of their own.

United’s defensive options were restricted before kick-off. According to TUDN, Leny Yoro was suspended, while Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw and Ayden Heaven were among those injured. De Ligt returned after 325 days out following a back injury. His appearance therefore came with Carrick already missing several alternatives in defence for the trip to Italy.

The victory followed Como’s defeat by Feyenoord in their previous Champions League outing, GOAL reported. TUDN put Como on six points after the result, with United remaining on three. In the next round of league-phase matches, Como are scheduled to visit Lens, while United are due to host Roma at Old Trafford.