Shunsuke Stunner Sinks United Thursday, November 23, 2006
Shunsuke Nakamura's stunning free-kick gave Celtic a 1-0 Champions League win over Manchester United, who missed a late penalty at Parkhead.
United largely dominated the first half but failed to break the deadlock - and an improved second-half showing from the hosts was rewarded on 81 minutes when Nakamura curled a delicious 25-yard free-kick past Edwin van der Sar.
The visitors were awarded a penalty two minutes from time when Shaun Maloney handled a Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick in the box - but Artur Boruc brilliantly saved Louis Saha's low spot-kick.
The visitors bossed possession from the kick-off on Tuesday night, but failed to really trouble Boruc until the 35th minute, when Ronaldo's low shot was well saved by the Bhoys keeper.
Ryan Giggs had earlier seen a free-kick deflected over the crossbar while Rooney flashed a volley from a corner inches wide.
The hosts' only chance of the first half came on 38 minutes, when Thomas Gravesen headed across the face of goal but Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink failed to react quick enough to slot home.
Strachan rang the changes at the interval, sending on Maloney and Jiri Jarosik for Evander Sno and Maciej Zurawski.
And they allowed the hosts to keep hold of the ball more effectively, with Gravesen's 30-yard shot on 50 minutes and Nakamura's 65th-minute strike forcing good saves from van der Sar.
United played the second half with a sense of knowing a point was enough to qualify, and Rooney's rising shot over the bar on 68 minutes was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.
But Nakamura's late heroics brought an urgency to their play and Saha's missed penalty means Sir Alex Ferguson's must avoid defeat against Benfica in order to join the Scottish champions in the next round.
