Football News : Ronaldo scores 1st goal of the season to secure Man United victory vs Sheriff

In the 2-0 Europa League victory over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of the 2022-23 season with a penalty.

The victory has moved Erik ten Hag's team into second place in Group E, three points behind leaders Real Sociedad, who recorded a 2-1 victory over Ononia in the section's other match.

Jadon Sancho scored the opening goal in the 17th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the final minutes of the first half. When Mouhamed Diop found himself unimpeded outside of the Man United box in the 12th minute,

the home team had their first half-chance, but David de Gea was unable to stop his shot since it was always flying high. When Ronaldo fell down inside the area under pressure from Gaby Kiki in the 15th minute, there was a cry for a penalty, but the referee appeared unconcerned.

Sancho, who was not included in the most recent England team, created space inside Sheriff's penalty area, before converting with a deft touch in the 17th minute to give Man United the lead. In the 23rd minute, Iyayi Atiemwen missed the goal for the opposition. Sheriff looked dangerous when they were able to create space in the attacking areas.

Ronaldo was the next to try his luck, and after some deft work by Antony, the Portugal international broke into a shooting position, but his shot kept rising past the crossbar.

When Diogo Dalot was brought down by Patrick Kpozo in the 39th minute, the Red Devils were given a penalties, and Ronaldo converted it to record his first goal of the season.

Late in the first half, Sancho came just inches away from adding a second goal for Man United, but Stjepan Radeljic was able to clear the ball off the line. Early in the second half, Man United's Bruno Fernandes came close to scoring a third goal, but the goalie for the home team stopped his low attempt.

Shortly after, Christian Eriksen sent a beautiful cross in the direction of Ronaldo, but Radeljic was there to make a nice block as the Portuguese waited to score his second.

The visitors, who introduced Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Anthony Elanga, Harry Maguire, and Alejandro Garnacho, barely needed to shift out of second gear on a pleasant night, while Sheriff failed to carry a threat throughout the 90 minutes.

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