The game at the Camp Nou brought together the two European giants, who met in two Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011. After a goalless first half, La Liga leaders Barcelona took the lead five minutes into the second half through Marcos Alonso's header from a corner.
However, United equalized just three minutes later when Marcus Rashford beat Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his near post and scored his 13th goal in 15 games since the World Cup. Barcelona and Manchester United shared a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou on Thursday as the two European heavyweights hit back in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs. Marcos Alonso put Barcelona in front with a header, but the superb Marcus Rashford equalized for the visitors and assisted Jules Conte's own goal before Rafinha's cross to give United the lead flew in to pull Barcelona level and they might have won the game. Late in the post, the hosts also called for a penalty after Fred was deemed to have been tackled in the box. Xavi Hernandez and Erik ten Haag are two of the most in-form teams in Europe. Having met twice in the Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, this Europa League duel offered a thrilling test of each team's recent improvements. "[We] should have had more clinical finishing chances," ten Haag told reporters. "The disappointment is that we didn't score them, we should have scored at least four goals." The coach complained about Kounde's foul on Rashford, who went unpunished on the edge of Barcelona's box. "We can debate whether it's in the box or out of the box, but it's definitely a red card," added ten Haag. “I asked the referee why. He said it was outside the box and not a foul. The linesman and the referee were very good and we have VAR. I think this is a very bad decision. "
Barcelona coach Xavi argued his team should have been awarded a penalty for Fred's handball.
"It's a stolen penalty," Xavi said. “I don't know why they don't whistle a penalty for handball now. I find it incredible. Unbelievable.” The Premier League side then took the lead just before the hour through Jules Conte's own goal, but a Rafinha cross flew in inside the last quarter of an hour to equalize for Barca in front of more than 90,000 spectators. Barcelona will be without captain Sergio Busquets and winger Ousmane Dembele due to injury. Xavi used midfielder Frenkie de Jong and forward Rafinha in their place. Defender Marcos Alonso started on the bench just days after the death of his father, former Barcelona player Marcos Alonso. Memphis Depay scored in the 88th minute for his first goal since joining Barcelona as Atletico Madrid won 1-0 at Celta Vigo to remain fourth in the final Champions League spot. With defender Stefan Savic sent off in the 70th, Atletico needed a good performance from goalkeeper Jan Oblak and help from the woodwork.
Atletico opened a four-point gap on fifth-placed Betis with their third win in four league games. Celta dropped to 14th place after two consecutive wins.
"It was a tough match and we knew Celta were going through a good moment," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "Finally, Oblak helped us again and Memphis got through in a very important game for us." Depay scored from inside the area for his first goal against Atletico since his January transfer from Barcelona. Oblak made two excellent stops after Savic was sent off, including a reflex save on the goal line in the 85th. Veteran Celta striker Iago Aspas hit the crossbar from a free kick following Savic's red card for blocking a breakaway. Midfielder Koke made his 402nd appearance in the league with Reserecion Atlético, surpassing former midfielder Adelardo RodrÃguez's club mark. Enes Unal and Rayo striker Raul de Tomas scored an equalizer in the 77th minute as Getafe drew 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano. competition Getafe, without a win in seven straight matches in all competitions, played with 10 men from 54th place after Carles Alina was sent off with a second yellow card. Getafe striker Borja Mayoral also failed to score with a penalty kick shortly before Alina was sent off. Rayo, who have won three of their last four league games, dropped to sixth place with a draw. Osasuna's unbeaten run in the league extended to four games after a 0-0 draw at 13th-placed Valladolid came from two consecutive wins after five successive defeats in all competitions. Osasuna, who remain in ninth place, have managed just one win in their last eight league matches. On Monday, third-placed Real Sociedad visits relegation-threatened Espanyol, looking to end a three-game winless streak and move closer to second-placed Madrid.
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