MANCHESTER UNITED notched up their third win in three to put one foot in the next round of the Champions League.
But it came in bizarre circumstances in Lisbon on a night 18-year-old Mile Svilar will want to forget.
Svilar became the youngest ever goalkeeper in Champions League history when he was named in the Benfica starting line-up.
He had handled the occasion pretty well until a nightmare moment just past the hour.
The second half saw United show much more attacking intent but the winner came in bizarre circumstances.
Marcus Rashford had just tested Svilar with two in-swinging corners that almost found their way into the net.
The first he punched clear and the second he scrambled back to tip over the bar.
It was as if Rashford could sense his fellow teen’s nervousness on the big night so in the 64th minute he tested him again.
This time it was from a free kick that he sent in-swinging from wide out on the left.
Undoubtedly it was aiming for a glancing head of a teammate but it bypassed everyone.
Marcus Rashford limps off during clash with Benfica
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Svilar was backpedalling and while he caught it, he could not stop his own momentum and he took the ball with him beyond the goalline.
Prior to goalline technology it would have been difficult to give it, but the referee’s wrist band buzzed and the eye in the sky had given it.
Given the goalkeeper’s age there was only sympathy from the home crowd as they tried to encourage him straight afterwards.
Even the United players seemed a little embarrassed about celebrating it.
But a goal’s a goal a win’s a win — and United are marching into the next phase.
Benfica’s misery was compounded when captain Luisao was sent off in stoppage time for a foul on Scott McTominay.
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