Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez celebrates his second goal against Braga during their Champions League Group H match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, yesterday.
Barcelona: Jordi Alba scored with almost the last kick of the match as Barcelona snatched a stirring 2-1 comeback win at home to a battling Celtic in Champions League Group G yesterday.
The Scottish champions, who had never won in Spain in 12 previous attempts, took a shock 18th-minute lead at the Nou Camp through Giorgos Samaras when the Greek striker’s header spun into the net off Javier Mascherano.
Barca dominated possession but were struggling to penetrate the massed Celtic ranks until Andres Iniesta combined with Xavi and squeezed a shot just inside Fraser Forster’s post in the 45th minute.
The favourites pressed as Celtic tired in the second half and after Forster twice denied Lionel Messi and David Villa hit the frame of the goal, fullback Alba popped up at the far post in the 94th to deflect Adriano’s cross over the line.
Elsewhere, Manchester United staged a dramatic fightback from two goals down as Javier Hernandez’s double inspired a 3-2 win over Braga in the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were in danger of an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Portuguese minnows after two early goals from Braga captain Alan shocked Old Trafford.
But Hernandez sparked United’s revival with his first goal before half-time and the Mexico striker bagged the winner with 15 minutes remaining after Jonny Evans equalised just after the hour.
Hernandez’s heroics ensured United maintained their 100 percent record after three Group H matches and one more victory should be enough to guarantee their place in the last 16.
Ferguson opted to rest Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, but he talked in his programme notes about the perils of underestimating the supposedly weaker teams in the competition and paid Braga due respect by fielding a strong line-up that featured Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in attack. It seemed like Ferguson’s players weren’t listening to his warnings as sloppy defending allowed Braga to take the lead after just 90 seconds.
Former Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana was given time to swing over a cross from the left and Alan got in front of Alexander Buttner to plant a fine header past United goalkeeper David de Gea.
For the eighth time in 12 matches, Ferguson’s men would have to come from behind after conceding the opening goal.
Reflecting the growing belief that United have something of a soft centre these days, Braga manager Jose Peseiro had promised to go on the attack and his team were proving as good as his word.
Even so, it was still remarkable how easily Braga carved through the United defence to double their lead in the 20th minute.
Michael Carrick, once again playing as a makeshift centre-back, was lured out of position to the left wing by Eder, who beat his marker with a sublime flick before whipping over a cross that Alan, given too much space by Buttner and Evans, dispatched with a clinical low strike.
That stunning development finally seemed to shake Ferguson’s team out of their lethargy and Hernandez reduced the deficit just five minutes later.
Shinji Kagawa was allowed to play on after a foul on van Persie and the Japan midfielder lofted a cross towards Hernandez, whose diving header was too powerful for Braga goalkeeper Beto to keep out.
United had never lost at home to Portuguese opposition and Evans ensured that record would remain intact when the centre-back scuffed home the equaliser at the second attempt after Braga failed to deal with van Persie’s 62nd minute corner.
In the 75th minute of the match, England midfielder Tom Cleverley curled over a teasing cross and Hernandez, timing his run perfectly, found space to bury a bullet header past Beto. AGENCIES
