Nico Paz Double Inspires Como to 4-1 Rout of Manchester United on Champions League Debut

Como beat Manchester United 4-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday, October 21, in matchday 3 of the Champions League. Nico Paz scored twice and set up another for the Serie A side, who are playing in the competition for the first time. United's winless run in all competitions has now stretched to seven games.

Como were ahead after only two minutes. Paz was given too much space in the final third by the United defence, and he bent a superb shot from the inside-right channel into the far corner after a pass from Lucas Da Cunha. It was Paz's first goal in the Champions League. At 22 years and 43 days, he is the second-youngest South American player to score against United in the competition, behind only Lionel Messi in the 2009 final. United also became the first English team to concede in the first two minutes of consecutive major European matches, after a first-minute goal against Atlético Madrid.

Como had the better of the first half and led 1-0 at the break. The lead doubled three minutes into the second half. Paz played a through ball between the United centre-backs, and Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas lifted a first-time finish into the top corner.

Paz made it 3-0 in the 57th minute. United midfielder Carlos Baleba took a poor touch while trying to play the ball around the corner in midfield, and Paz stole possession and ran into the box. He then finished low into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Lammens made a diving save to deny Paz's curling effort when he tried for a hat-trick.

Defender Jacobo Ramón headed in an inviting cross to make it 4-0 in the 76th minute, and some travelling United supporters began to leave before the final whistle. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored a consolation goal in stoppage time.

United were without a win in seven matches in all competitions, and their head coach Michael Carrick said afterwards that the performance was not acceptable. He said he was really angry, but that the team had to move on. The night did bring one positive note for United, as defender Matthijs de Ligt made his return after eleven months out.

For Como, who had lost 3-2 to Feyenoord in the previous round, it was a historic win in their first Champions League campaign.