Como rout Manchester United 4-1 as Nico Paz stars in historic Champions League win
Paz leads Como to a landmark European triumph
Como delivered the most memorable victory in the club’s history, sweeping Manchester United aside 4-1 in the Champions League at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Nico Paz scored twice and supplied the pass for Tasos Douvikas, while Jacobo Ramón added a fourth before Joshua Zirkzee’s stoppage-time consolation.
The result was a striking statement from Cesc Fàbregas’s side, who controlled the contest with coordinated pressing and incisive attacks. United, by contrast, struggled to contain Como and rarely threatened until the second half was well under way. The defeat was described by The Guardian as United’s heaviest in European competition since 1994.
Paz strikes early, then turns provider
Como needed barely two minutes to take the lead. Paz collected the ball just inside the penalty area, made space as Harry Maguire backed away and curled a left-footed shot into the far top corner. The early goal set the tone for a night in which the hosts repeatedly found room to attack.
United had chances to respond, but Diogo Dalot fired wide from a promising position and Maguire was unable to direct a header on target. At the other end, Douvikas tested goalkeeper Senne Lammens, while Martin Baturina helped create further openings. A potential penalty appeal after Lammens brought down Douvikas came to nothing, with the striker flagged offside.
Como doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half. Baturina found Paz, whose perfectly weighted pass sent Douvikas through to finish past the advancing Lammens. It was Douvikas’s third goal in as many Champions League appearances, according to Football Italia.
United unravel after the break
Paz made it 3-0 in the 57th minute, capitalising on a midfield mistake by Carlos Baleba before driving forward and beating Lammens. The Argentinian had been involved in all three goals, scoring twice and assisting Douvikas. Como continued to threaten, with Lucas Da Cunha narrowly missing the target and Paz later forcing another save.
The fourth goal arrived in the 76th minute after a flowing move down Como’s left. Kaiki Bruno delivered the cross and centre-back Jacobo Ramón rose unmarked to head home from close range. United’s response was limited: Amad Diallo tested Jean Butez, but the visitors could not change the course of a match that had long been decided.
Zirkzee scored in added time, hooking down a ball from Diallo and finishing on the bounce. It offered little comfort to a United side whose travelling supporters had begun leaving before the final whistle.
Pressure mounts on Carrick
The result added to the pressure on Michael Carrick after a difficult start to the season. The Guardian reported that United had managed only two wins in all competitions to that point and noted that the club were missing several players through injury, suspension or illness. Matthijs de Ligt, making his first appearance in 325 days after a serious back injury, was among those thrust into a depleted defence.
Como’s performance was all the more striking given the disparity in European experience cited by The Guardian: the Italian side had 62 Champions League appearances compared with United’s 242. For Como, the 4-1 scoreline extended a remarkable European campaign; for United, it left Carrick facing renewed questions ahead of their next match against Bournemouth.
Final score: Como 4-1 Manchester United
Scorers: Nico Paz (2), Tasos Douvikas, Jacobo Ramón; Joshua Zirkzee.