Former Manchester, Real Madrid, and PSG player Angel Di Maria sparked reactions with his absolute stunner against Nantes in the Europa League playoffs.
Juventus went into the game on a 1-1 aggregate, having surrendered a narrow lead in the final minutes to the French Ligue 1 side in the first leg at Turin
It was shocking that Juventus settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw at home after conceding the late goal against the run of play in front of the home fans. Hence, fans envisaged a cracker when the beleaguered Serie A outfit travel to France for the second leg.
However, it was a rosy ride for the Italian outfit. Juventus held sway over proceedings from the start and it was pretty obvious they were coasting to a deserved win over Nantes in France.
Wielding 61% of the ball possession, 659 passes completed against Nantes’ 417 was a sure bet for a positive outcome. The Old Ladies equally dominated with attempts on target, firing 12 against Nantes’ 4.
Despite holding sway over the game, it must have been unfathomable Angel Di Maria will shoulder the responsibility of the Old Ladies’ victory over Nantes in France.
The Argentina World Cup winner sparked reactions with his absolutely stunning early strike that pave the way to a subsequent victory.
Receiving a pass from the right edge of the Nantes’ box, Angel Di Maria wasted no time delivering a perfectly curling strike on the edge of the box into the top-right corner.
Like a measured and carefully guided projectile, his left-footed strike curled into the net with Nantes’ goalkeeper helplessly watching on as the ball flew into the net.
It was an incredible strike by the World Cup winner. Football fans immediately took to social media to hail the wonder goal.
A fan wrote, “literally no goalie in history is saving this.”
Another wrote, ” one of the finest goals I have seen.”
Another fan added, “Wow! What a goal.”
Landon said, “Di Maria is a legend.”
DI Maria’s wonder goal came as early as five minutes into the first half. 12 minutes later, Nantes were dealt a huge blow after Pallois bagged a red card, reducing the home side to 10 men.
Juventus then capitalized on the one-man advantage to wreck more havoc with Angel Di Maria driving the wheels.
Three minutes after Pallois red card, Angel Di Maria doubled the lead with a good header to make it 2-0 for the Old Ladies before the team went into the first-half break.
Late in the second half, he scored again in the 78th minute converting a spot kick to seal the victory and bag his hat-trick.
Juventus now progress to the round of 16 of the competition on a 4-1 aggregate win over 10-man Nantes.
Other teams who have qualified for round 16 after the playoffs include Manchester United, Roma, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk, Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sporting CP.
