United had levelled from nothing and against the run of play, and were incredibly ahead just four minutes later. After Chicharito’s shot had been saved by Beto, Rooney was felled by Coelho and, after consulting his assistants, referee Brych awarded the kick. Rooney duly smashed it home to put United’s travelling support into rapture.
Braga were spent and immediately looked susceptible to late counter-raids, which transpired in injury time as Chicharito was found by Rooney’s neat flick. Though he needed to fashion time and space before having a shot blocked on the line, the little Mexican slid in to put the ball into the roof of the net. A decisive victory had been wrapped up and with it comes progress to the last 16 of the Champions League, as group winners, with two games to spare.
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