Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick
to inspire Manchester United to a thrilling 3-0 victory (3-2 on aggregate) over
Olympiacos and send the Reds through to the Champions League
quarter-finals.
Not since 1984 –
indeed, 30 years ago this week – had United turned around a two-goal first-leg
deficit in Europe. But on Wednesday, in front of a raucous Old Trafford crowd,
van Persie’s treble ensured David Moyes’ maiden European voyage remained on
course for Lisbon and gave United fans a thrilling night to remember.
But while the Dutchman
will deservedly dominate the column inches, David De Gea's stunning double save
on 40 minutes – first from David Fuster's bullet header and then Alejandro
Dominguez's follow-up at the near post – proved just as pivotal.
Nobody would have
blamed the Spaniard had either effort found the net but he saved both
brilliantly to preserve the 1-0 lead earned when van Persie had earlier opened
the scoring from the penalty spot. Five minutes after De Gea’s double denial,
in first-half injury time, RvP swept home Wayne Rooney's cross from close
range. United were 2-0 up, level on aggregate and, crucially, in possession of
the momentum and confidence that would ultimately carry the Reds to victory.
Van Persie sealed his
hat-trick just six minutes into the second period, curling home a free-kick
from 25 yards that had Olympiacos goalkeeper Roberto fooled, rooted to the
spot.
There were then nervy
moments to endure, particularly when De Gea was called into action again at his
near post to beat out Dominguez’s blast, but the Reds held on to claim a famous
victory
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