Manchester United saw their Champions League campaign ended at the group stage this evening courtesy of a dramatic 3-2 loss at the hands of Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena.
Anthony Martial's goal gave the visitors the lead after just 10 minutes, but that was short-lived before Naldo's equaliser, while Vieirinha added another just before the half-hour mark to put the hosts ahead at the interval.
An own goal from Josua Guilavogui eight minutes from time put United on course for the last 16, but Naldo once again hit back soon after to seal the victory for his side.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at a remarkable 90 minutes of European action in Germany.
Match statistics
WOLFSBURG
Shots: 10
On target: 6
Possession: 45%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 8
MAN UTD
Shots: 16
On target: 6
Possession: 55%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
First things first, this was an incredible match and both teams deserve full credit for playing their part in it. Many were expecting a dull affair, with both sides afraid of losing, but it was exactly the opposite and could have quite easily been 6-5 given the chances that were created. In the end it was Wolfsburg who proved to be marginally more clinical, but there really was not much to separate the two sides over the course of the 90 minutes and a draw would have probably been the fairest result.
Of course, that wouldn't have been enough for United in the end anyway, but they can't really say that they deserved anything more than a point from tonight's game. Both goalkeepers were forced into a number of very good saves, while United could perhaps point to a controversially disallowed goal on the stroke of half time which may well have changed the game - although replays showed that the correct decision was ultimately made. It was a madcap affair only enhanced by goings-on in Eindhoven, where PSV conceded late but then launched a comeback with only 10 men that left United needing two goals in the final five minutes.
That wasn't out of the question the way the match had gone up to that point, with both sides looking dangerous almost every time they ventured forward. The first 15 minutes of the second half aside, it was an open, attacking spectacle, although that may well have been caused by Wolfsburg pulling a goal back within minutes of both United strikes. That certainly helped the hosts to prevent United from sitting back, which made it a far more enjoyable game to watch than many of United's matches this season.
Wolfsburg's performance
Despite Wolfsburg needing just a point to guarantee their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history, manager Dieter Hecking promised that his side would go for the win, and he was certainly a man of his word tonight. Right from the off the hosts were looking to get forward, and they should have been ahead inside three minutes when Andre Schurrle blazed a glorious chance over the top. Martial's opener was certainly a setback, but Naldo's brilliantly taken equaliser less than four minutes later was a big moment in the game.
Wolfsburg's quick responses were to prove a theme of the game. Shortly before Vieirinha finished off a magnificent team goal for the second, United had squandered a clear chance through Marouane Fellaini, while in the second half they not only got the winner straight after United's equaliser, but they also responded to a spell of United pressure by creating four very presentable chances, none of which were taken. David de Gea was forced into a number of impressive saves as Wolfsburg looked capable of scoring every time they crossed the halfway line.
Defensively it was not perfect - Hecking will feel that both goals were avoidable and his side gave up plenty of good chances as well - but their threat in the final third made that almost acceptable. Before the match they were undoubtedly the underdogs of all the group leaders, but with the likes of Julian Draxler, Schurrle and Max Kruse in the side, they can certainly cause plenty of teams problems in the knockout stages of the competition based on this performance.
Man Utd's performance
Louis van Gaal can be forgiven for feeling like he is stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea right now. Fresh from disgruntled fans voicing their opinions after another blank at the weekend, his side put on their most exciting and attacking display of the season this evening, only to end up on the losing side. Would fans have rather had another drab performance tonight had they won 1-0? Whatever the answer, in terms of the actual performance his side put in, particularly in the entertainment stakes, this was a big step in the right direction.
Their injury list cannot be ignored, particularly now that both Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling appear to have been added to it tonight, and as such Van Gaal was forced to play a number of inexperienced players in what was probably his biggest game in charge of the club to date. However, there is also an argument to be made that, with the money he has spent, he should have better options, particularly up front when Wayne Rooney was the only regular starter unavailable to him. Even so, United did manage to put in a good attacking display, with Martial in particular standing out this evening.
In a reverse from what we have seen for most of this season, it was United's defence that let them down today. Two of Wolfsburg's goals came from set pieces, which will infuriate Van Gaal as much as anything else in the wake of this game, while De Gea was called upon to make a string of brilliant saves. The reaction to this one is likely to be mixed between those encouraged by the performance and those in despair at how United haven't managed to come through this relatively easy group, but if they can find a way to couple tonight's attacking display with the defensive work they have showcased for the majority of the season then they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Julian Draxler: Long tipped with a move to the Premier League before his switch to Wolfsburg, Draxler really shone this evening. He was the main architect in a brilliant second goal for the hosts and made a number of slaloming runs forward that United struggled to deal with. An honourable mention should go to Naldo, but he just misses out due to Wolfsburg's defensive performance.
Biggest gaffe
Not too much contest here. Guilavogui's own goal was a shocker from the midfielder, who lifted a backward header over his own man on the line when trying to reach Fellaini's downward effort from a corner.
Referee performance
There were a couple of strange moments for Milorad Mazic this evening. The biggest call came when he disallowed a United equaliser just before half time with the help of his linesman, who raised his flag very late but ultimately correctly. Early in the second half there was a similar incident when Mazic seemed to let play continue, only to be overruled by the official behind the goal. All in all, though, it was a decent performance from the man in the middle.
What next?
Wolfsburg: Next up for Wolfsburg is another home tie against Hamburger in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Man Utd: United, meanwhile, will look to snap a four-game winless streak away to Bournemouth, also on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
