Como Thrash Manchester United 4-1 in Historic Champions League Night

Como turned a landmark Champions League night into the most emphatic result of their European campaign, beating Manchester United 4-1 at the Stadio Sinigaglia and confirming the growing authority of Cesc Fabregas’ side on a stage that once appeared far beyond the club’s reach.

There had been no previous competitive meeting between the teams, but Como played as though the occasion belonged to them from the opening minutes. Nico Paz scored twice, created the second for Tasos Douvikas and drove the home side forward throughout a night in which United, led by Michael Carrick, struggled to establish any control.

Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for the visitors, but it did little to alter the picture of a match settled long before the final whistle. Como’s players celebrated beneath their supporters after a result Fabregas had described beforehand as a potentially historic evening for the club.

Paz sets the tone from the opening

Como were without Trevoh Chalobah, Assane Diao and Moise Kean, leaving Fabregas with limited room for change. Marc Kempf came into the defence, while Martin Baturina started in place of Maxence Caqueret. Máximo Perrone and Milla formed the midfield base, with Lucas Da Cunha operating from the right.

United threatened first, with Diogo Dalot shooting narrowly wide after breaking down the flank inside the opening minute. Como responded almost immediately. Da Cunha found Paz in the penalty area and the Argentine No. 10 bent a composed left-footed finish beyond Senne Lammens after two minutes for his first Champions League goal.

The goal gave the hosts a command they did not surrender. Paz repeatedly carried the ball through midfield and drew a booking from Andrey Santos, while Baturina caused sustained problems for Noussair Mazraoui. Da Cunha was also central to Como’s best passages, combining industry with composure in possession.

United’s defence included Matthijs de Ligt, making his return after a back injury that had kept him out since 30 November of the previous year. Harry Maguire produced an important sliding intervention to deny Baturina and later headed one of United’s few first-half openings narrowly wide from a Mbeumo cross.

Como should have extended the lead before the interval. Douvikas had opportunities, including one from Yan Couto’s delivery, while Lammens also had to deal with a number of efforts from the home side. A penalty initially appeared possible when Douvikas went down against the Belgian goalkeeper, but the move was halted for offside.

Como turn control into goals

Carrick made two changes at half-time, introducing Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba for Santos and Matheus Cunha. Yet Como struck again before the visitors could settle. Paz threaded a pass through for Douvikas, who accelerated beyond De Ligt and finished calmly for 2-0.

The hosts continued to press for more. Da Cunha was released by Baturina but sent his attempt just beyond the far post, before Paz added the third himself. The midfielder won possession from Baleba, surged into the open space ahead of him and beat Lammens to complete a decisive individual display.

That second goal took Paz to three assists in his European campaign as well as his two goals on the night. He left the field later to prolonged applause, alongside Perrone and Couto, with Samuele Ricci, Ivan Smolcic and Alberto Dossena entering.

Fabregas had already refreshed his side by replacing Baturina with Caqueret and bringing on Kaiki for captain Da Cunha. Caqueret was back on the UEFA list following Jesus Rodriguez’s injury and made an immediate impression in possession as Como retained their command of the game.

Ramon completes a famous scoreline

The fourth arrived from another sweeping home move. Valle began the sequence, Kaiki supplied the cross and defender Ramon timed his arrival in the area to head past Lammens. It was a fitting reward for a Como side that defended diligently when needed but spent most of the evening imposing its own tempo.

United introduced former Serie A forward Zirkzee in the 66th minute in place of Bruno Fernandes. Diallo provided their clearest attacking threat after the break, forcing Jean Butez into a save and trying to create openings from wide areas, but the visitors remained well short of a response.

Zirkzee eventually found space in the penalty area in stoppage time and beat Butez for 4-1. By then, however, the outcome had long been beyond doubt.

The occasion drew exceptional attention for Como, with the club’s following estimated at around 100,000 compared with Manchester United’s global support of 650 million. The crowd at the Sinigaglia made its own contribution, repeatedly calling the names of Paz and Fabregas as the final minutes passed.

For Como, this was not merely a famous opponent beaten on a European night. It was a performance of conviction: disciplined through the first half, ruthless after the restart and carried by a young side playing with the assurance of a team that believes it belongs in this company.

Teams

Sven Jablonski refereed the match, assisted by Eduard Beitinger and Robert Kempter. Tobias Reichel was fourth official, with Christian Dingert on VAR and Sören Storks assisting.