Manchester United stun Juventus with late brace in comeback win

Manchester United forced a dramatic turn of events Wednesday against Juventus, scoring twice in the final five minutes of regular time to win 2-1 in Turin.

Juan Mata’s curling free-kick in the 86th minute canceled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s spectacular volley earlier in the second half, and an own goal condemned the Bianconeri to an unexpected defeat.

United manager Jose Mourinho angered the home supporters when he put his hand to his ear after the final whistle, an apparent response to repeated insults from the partisan crowd.

The last-minute theatrics changed the mood entirely at the Allianz Stadium, where Juventus threw away the chance to book a place in the knockout stages and win Group H.

“This defeat has to serve as a lesson,” defender Giorgio Chiellini told UEFA.com. “And if we want to go to Madrid in June, we have to grow.”

Ronaldo gave the Bianconeri a 1-0 lead midway through the second half when he swung through Leonardo Bonucci’s arching long ball. It was Ronaldo’s first in the Champions League with Juventus.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side peppered United’s goal throughout the contest, firing 23 shots to the visitors’ nine.

Allegri threw on a third defender in Andrea Barzagli in the hopes of closing out the match, but Mourinho’s changes made a bigger impact. Mata replaced Ander Herrera shortly before equalizing, and Marouane Fellaini, who came on for Alexis Sanchez, redirected the free-kick that led to Bonucci’s own goal.

The goals condemned Juventus to their first defeat of the season in all competitions and their first loss at home in the Champions League since 2009.

Juventus still remain in first place with nine points, while United moved ahead of Valencia into second with seven points.