Joshua Zirkzee found the net in stoppage time, but his late goal could do little to soften Manchester United’s painful 4-1 defeat to Como at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
The Dutch forward scored in the 90+1st minute to give United a brief moment of celebration, but Cesc Fàbregas’s side had already taken complete control of a match that exposed the visitors’ defensive and midfield weaknesses.
Nico Paz was the standout performer, scoring twice and assisting another goal as Como delivered an emphatic victory.
Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón also scored for the hosts, completing a memorable night for the Italian side.
Nico Paz Leads Como’s Dominant Display
Como made a flying start, opening the scoring inside two minutes.
Paz received the ball from Lucas Da Cunha before curling a left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area into the net.
The early goal set the tone for a performance built around confident possession, incisive passing and clinical finishing.
United struggled to regain control, and Como punished them again shortly after the interval.
Four minutes into the second half, Paz played a precise pass through the Manchester United defence, allowing Douvikas to finish past goalkeeper Senne Lammens and double the hosts’ advantage.
Paz then extended the lead himself in the 57th minute, winning possession from Carlos Baleba before driving forward and calmly slotting home his second goal of the evening.
The Argentine’s influence continued to trouble United as Como maintained their attacking momentum.
Ramón Adds a Fourth as United Collapse
Como’s dominance was further underlined in the 76th minute when Jacobo Ramón headed home a cross from Kaiki to make it 4-0.
By that stage, United were struggling to contain their opponents and had few answers to Como’s movement and attacking combinations.
The fourth goal effectively ended any remaining hope of a comeback, leaving the visitors facing another damaging result.
For Como, it was a statement performance that reinforced their growing confidence on the European stage.
Zirkzee Finds the Net in Stoppage Time
Manchester United finally found a response in the 90+1st minute through substitute Joshua Zirkzee.
Introduced around the 67th minute in place of Bruno Fernandes, the Dutch forward provided a moment of individual quality in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Amad Diallo, another substitute, delivered a well-timed cross into the penalty area. Zirkzee controlled the ball, turned and fired a right-footed shot beyond Como goalkeeper Jean Butez.
The finish was precise and gave travelling United supporters something to celebrate.
However, with Como already leading 4-0, the goal served only as a consolation and did little to change the outcome.
Como’s Rising Star Makes European History
Paz’s performance was another highlight of Como’s impressive display.
At 22 years and 43 days, he reportedly became one of the youngest players to contribute directly to at least three goals in a Champions League match against Manchester United.
His two goals and assist demonstrated his ability to influence matches through both creativity and finishing.
Under Fàbregas, Como showed composure in possession and an ability to exploit spaces left by their opponents, making the result a significant achievement for the club.
More Pressure on Michael Carrick and Manchester United
The defeat raises further questions about Manchester United’s form under interim manager Michael Carrick.
According to the supplied report, United entered the match on a seven-game winless run across all competitions, and the heavy loss will intensify scrutiny of the team’s performances.
Their difficulties controlling midfield and dealing with Como’s transitions were particularly concerning.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s home fixture against Bournemouth, which carries added importance as United attempt to regain confidence and consistency.
Zirkzee’s late finish offered a reminder of the quality available within the squad, but Manchester United need a stronger collective performance to turn their fortunes around.
A Night to Remember for Como
For Como, the 4-1 victory was a statement of intent, with Paz leading an attack that repeatedly exposed United’s weaknesses.
For Manchester United, Zirkzee’s stoppage-time goal provided only a brief positive moment in an otherwise difficult evening.
The final score told the story: Como were clinical, confident and in control, while United were left searching for answers.
Esther Afriyie Kumah is the Digital Media & Operations Manager and a writer AL Media Sports, the sports division of AL Media Group. She specializes in sports journalism, content and video production, covering Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and African football with in-depth match reports, tactical analysis, player ratings, and expert insights.