Philippe Coutinho’s Solo Goal Kills Off Man United In Europa League (Video)
Guillermo Varela never was going to stop Philippe Coutinho from putting Liverpool into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League when the moment of truth came.
Coutinho scored a sensational solo goal Thursday for Liverpool in its Europa League Round of 16 draw with Manchester United.
The Reds were trailing 1-0 in the 45th minute when Coutinho ran onto a pass from Daniel Sturridge, left Varela, Manchester United’s young fullback, for dead and dinked his shot over goalkeeper David de Gea.
HT: Man United 1, Liverpool 1 (agg. 1-3). This beautiful run and finish from Coutinho puts Reds in driving seat. https://t.co/eYOCWFUrE6
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 17, 2016
Coutinho, Liverpool’s player of the season in 2014-15 and a favorite among fans, broke his goal-less drought in Europe in a stunning fashion.
14 – Philippe Coutinho has scored his first European goal for Liverpool in his 14th appearance in European competition for the Reds. Dink.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 17, 2016
Coutinho’s goal gave Liverpool a 3-1 aggregate lead in the two-game series that ultimately proved insurmountable.
Thumbnail photo via Jon Super/The Associated Press
