Tuesday 12 February 2019, 21:54

PSG's youngsters end Solskjaer honeymoon, Roma edge Porto

  • UEFA Champions League Round of 16 kicks-off

  • PSG defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford

  • Roma edge Porto at the Stadio Olimpico

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered his first loss as Manchester United manager, succumbing to Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.

The United boss rolled out a speedy attacking trident of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, but in the end it was two PSG youngsters who stole the show at the Theatre of Dreams.

Presnel Kimpembe broke the scoreless deadlock in the 53rd minute, streaking past his marker and connecting with Angel Di Maria's corner kick service at the far post.

Fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe doubled the French side's advantage seven minutes later, finishing off a blistering move by splitting United's central defence and latching onto another well-weighted Di Maria pass.

Both Lingard and Martial were substituted near half-time – Lingard just before and Martial shortly after – with apparent injuries. Meanwhile, star midfielder Paul Pogba was sent off in the 89th minute for picking up his second yellow card, leaving the Frenchman unavailable for the return leg at the Parc des Princes on 6 March.

PSG were without Neymar in Manchester, as the dynamic forward continues to be sidelined by a foot injury. Their offense proved formidable enough without its show-stopping leader, though, and PSG leave England with a commanding advantage.

 Presnel Kimpembe of PSG celebrates after he scores his side's first goal

Teenage kicks for Roma

Another young attacker rose to prominence at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening, as 19-year-old midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo became the youngest player to net a Champions League brace in Roma's 2-1 defeat of FC Porto.

The hosts head to Portugal with a win in tow courtesy of their budding Italian playmaker. Both of Zaniolo's strikes were made possible by forward Edin Dzeko, and they came just six minutes apart, in the 70th and 76th minutes.

First it was Dzeko putting on a display of strength and control in the centre of the box, expertly handling a ball sent in, holding off his defender, then teeing up Zaniolo to his right, who picked out the bottom-left corner of the net.

Shortly after, Dzeko made a barrelling run through the Porto midfield and took aim from 25 yards. His effort dinged off the post, burning past a diving Iker Casillas to fall invitingly for Zaniolo, who tucked his shot into an open net.

But Porto got in on the goalscoring flurry three minutes after Zaniolo's second. Andre Pereira's mishit volley fell favourably in the penalty area for Adrian Lopez, and the Spaniard deftly dragged his half-volley past Antonio Mirante.

Porto's rescued away goal gives them plenty to play for as the match-up moves to Portugal on 6 March.

Nicolo Zaniolo of Roma celebrates after scoring against Porto