Como thrash Manchester United 4-1 as Nico Paz scores twice

Como beat Manchester United 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League league phase on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, Italy. Nico Paz scored twice for Cesc Fabregas's side, with Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also on target, while Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for United. The defeat leaves Michael Carrick's United near the bottom of the 36-team league table, according to reports, and extends their winless run.

Manchester United are one of the most famous clubs in the world, while Como come from a small lakeside city in northern Italy and have far less European history. A 4-1 defeat to a club with far less European history is a heavy blow, and several reports described it as one of the most embarrassing European results in United's history.

The result increases pressure on Carrick after a run of seven matches without a win. In the Champions League's new league format, every club plays eight matches against different opponents, and only the top eight go straight to the last 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a play-off round. Sitting 20th after three games, United still have time to recover but little margin for further defeats.

For Como, the night confirmed the rise of Fabregas as a coach and of Nico Paz as one of the most talked-about young attacking players in Europe. Paz controlled the game, scoring twice and creating danger throughout.

How the goals came: Paz struck within two minutes, curling a shot into the top corner after Lucas da Cunha found him unmarked at the edge of the area. Douvikas doubled the lead soon after half-time, Paz added his second just before the hour, and Ramon headed in the fourth from a cross by Kaiki in the 76th minute. Zirkzee's goal, from a pass played behind Como's defence, came in stoppage time with the match already decided.

Elsewhere on the same night, Bayern Munich and Arsenal drew 2-2 in Munich, with Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane scoring for Bayern and Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice for Arsenal, while Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1.

In India, the match drew wide attention. Google's trending searches show "Como vs Manchester United" among the most searched topics in India on the evening of October 21, reflecting United's large following among Indian football fans, who watch Champions League matches late at night.

Short-term: United face questions over form and their coach before their next league and European matches. Como gain three points and confidence.

Long-term: If United's poor run continues, the club may have to make decisions about its coaching staff and could miss the knockout rounds. Como's success strengthens Italian football's growing presence at the top of the European game.

Who is affected: Manchester United players, coaches and fans around the world, including in India; Como and its supporters; and broadcasters and sponsors linked to both clubs.

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