Chapter 564: The Game-Winning Goal
As the match entered injury time, Manchester United launched another attack into Manchester City's final third.
Gündoğan received a pass from a teammate within the 30-meter zone but was quickly blocked by City's midfielders. Forced to turn right, he looked for support on the right flank.
"Here!"
Just when Gündoğan needed support the most, Bruno suddenly appeared in an open space slightly to the right of the center and raised his hand for the ball. The German midfielder passed it without hesitation, simultaneously warning Bruno to watch out for defenders.
"Careful!"
Bruno seemed prepared. As he received the ball, he quickly moved it forward and accelerated. This unexpected change of pace left City's Bernardo Silva lunging at thin air.
The area where Bruno received the ball was tricky for City's defenders, especially after he evaded Silva. He could now directly approach City's defensive line, and Harry Kane quickly reacted, turning and preparing to make a run.
Bruno charged towards City's defense, approaching the penalty area. He then made a quick through pass, aiming to send the ball behind the defenders.
Harry Kane responded swiftly, making an offside run to receive the ball. However, City's captain Kompany reacted even faster, making a sliding tackle to intercept the ball, preventing it from reaching Kane.
But Bruno was quick to react. He immediately chased after the ball, getting to it before City's other center-back, Otamendi. With a swift movement, he used his right foot to shift the ball to his left, bypassing Otamendi. Standing at the edge of the box, he curled a shot with the inside of his left foot.
The ball traced a beautiful arc, descending slowly, and found the top left corner of City's net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!"
"The ball is in!!!!"
"In the 91st minute, Bruno scores his second goal of the match!"
"3-2, Manchester United have turned the game around!"
"Despite the controversial penalty call, Bruno remained undeterred. He continued to lead United's relentless attack and ultimately scored his second goal of the game, securing the lead for United!"
"This situation now looks very favorable for Manchester United!"
As Bruno took that curling shot, he had a strong feeling it would go in. The contact was perfect, the angle was precise, and it was a secure inside-foot shot. If this didn't go in, it would be unfair!
Seeing City's goalkeeper Ederson stretch his arms and dive, trying to save the shot but failing, Bruno turned around and sprinted out of the penalty area, celebrating as he ran off the field.
"What a magnificent goal!"
"Bruno has been exceptional tonight. He not only scored two goals himself but also orchestrated United's second goal. Manchester United's comeback victory is largely thanks to him!"
When Guardiola saw Bruno's curled shot, he shook his head dejectedly. His winless streak against United as City's manager continued.
Guardiola, a former professional defender, understood all too well the difficulty of defending against a superstar like Bruno. His face was full of resignation and bitterness.
In contrast, Mourinho jumped up in excitement. Today's victory was hard-fought. Twice they were behind, denied a penalty, and yet United kept fighting back, led by Bruno. They equalized twice and finally scored in injury time to clinch the win.
Bruno's goal not only turned the match around but also nearly secured the league title for United. With six matches left and an 11-point lead, Mourinho couldn't see how they could lose the title now.
United ultimately won 3-2 against City, thanks to Bruno's brace and a goal from Harry Kane, overcoming a two-goal deficit twice.
City suffered their first home defeat of the season. Guardiola acknowledged his defeat gracefully.
"We gave it our all but couldn't stop Bruno's attacks," he said post-match.
Mourinho praised Bruno, who was named Man of the Match. With his brace, Bruno tied his own single-season Premier League scoring record of 38 goals, set last season. He continued to dominate the scoring charts, ahead of Liverpool's Salah and United teammate Harry Kane, both with 29 goals.
Salah's performance drew significant attention. Liverpool legend Ian Rush commented that only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were on Salah's level.
Rush told Sky Sports, "Salah's performances are incredible, not just because he scored four against Watford, but also his selfless play. Only Messi, Ronaldo, and Bruno are at this level."
Mourinho also mentioned that the penalty call, if made, would have made the win easier.
After the match, media focus was partly on the controversial penalty decision. United supporters were certain it was a penalty, while City fans saw it as a non-call. The debate raged on.
"It can't be because the FA favors United, so the referee favors United too," some said.
Slow-motion replays showed contact between Kanté and Kompany, but opinions varied on whether it warranted a penalty.
"Kompany knocked me down; it was definitely a penalty!" Kanté insisted post-match, still frustrated. He was aware that his yellow card left him one away from suspension, per Premier League rules, but at that moment, the penalty seemed more important.
Fortunately, this was United's 32nd league game, avoiding a two-match suspension for 10 yellow cards within the first 32 matches.
Kompany, on the other hand, believed he was innocent.
"I touched him, but it was normal contact. He went down too easily. As players, we all know what that's about," he said, implying Kanté's fall was exaggerated.
In the post-match press conference, the penalty call dominated the discussion.
A Guardian reporter asked Guardiola, "That was a penalty, wasn't it?"
Guardiola sternly replied, "Clearly not. Kompany said it was a dive. I believe my players. Referee Atkinson made the right call. It's tough officiating a Manchester derby, especially against a 'favored' team like United."
Mourinho maintained it was a clear penalty.
"No doubt it was a penalty. Our player was pushed down in the box. If that's not a penalty, what is?" he argued, dismissing suggestions that Kanté exaggerated his fall.
Angry at the insinuation, Mourinho refused further questions on the penalty, preferring to discuss Bruno's goals instead. However, the controversial penalty remained the main topic, overshadowing Bruno's match-winning performance.
Even after the press conference, debates continued online about the late-game incident. Reporters repeatedly contacted Bruno for his opinion on the penalty.
"There's no point in complaining. Whether it was a penalty or not... I don't know. I wasn't close enough to see clearly. Kanté said Kompany knocked him down... but it's over now," Bruno said, weary of the discussion. "We should focus on the fact that we won. We're unstoppable. No one can stop us from winning the league again."
"I'm not thinking about the penalty anymore. I'm focused on our next Champions League match. Despite our strong first-leg advantage, Roma is a unique team. Remember Barcelona? They thought they were through after a big home win, but Roma beat them 3-0 at home and made Barca a laughingstock. I don't want that to happen to us."
Three days later, United faced a tough match at Rome's Olympic Stadium. Both teams played openly, leading to an intense game.
Despite having less than seventy-two hours of rest, Bruno continued his excellent form from the derby. In the 13th minute, he received a cross from Cancelo and scored with a low shot, putting United ahead.
Roma equalized nine minutes later. Early in the second half, they took the lead.
Bruno kept seeking opportunities, actively moving. His teammates understood his intentions, creating chances for him. Roma's defenders, exhausted from marking Bruno all game, finally slipped up.
In the 70th minute, Mata passed to the right. Cancelo received the ball, advanced, and passed to Bruno at the edge of the box. Bruno quickly turned, dribbling inward but was closely marked. He made a sudden cut into the box, paused to shake off his marker, and curled a shot with his left foot.
The ball sailed over the goalkeeper's outstretched hands and into the net.
2-2! Bruno had scored twice again.
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