UCL: Rashford Hattrick Humbles Leipzig, Barcelona Shrug Off Political Concerns With Win At Juventus

Marcus Rashford was again on target for Manchester United in the Champions League with a hat-trick in a 5-0 humbling of RB Leipzig on Wednesday as Barcelona put their shrug off political concerns to one side to win 2-0 away to a Juventus side without Cristiano Ronaldo.

AllNews reported earlier that Rashford's late goal earned United a 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain last week and again at Old Trafford, the England striker came on as a second-half substitute and scored three times from the 74th minute on in what was a fine win against last season's UCL semifinalists.

READ ALSO: UCL: PSG Quickfire Double To Defeat Basaksehir, Chelsea Sweeps Krasnodar Aside

AllNews understands that Man Utd has now passed both the German test and the French test.

Paul Pogba released Mason Greenwood to open the scoring in the first half before the youngster made way for Rashford after the break and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ran away with the game to make it two wins from two in Group H.

Anthony Martial also netted from the penalty spot as United ruthlessly exposed the side who currently top the German Bundesliga and went clear at the top of the section.

"We looked dangerous throughout and that we could score every time we went forward," said Rashford. "It was a real team performance."

Sound ? to hear from the boss! ?#MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/kayduKjmpa

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 28, 2020

Meanwhile, PSG got their campaign up and running by beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Turkey, although they lost Neymar to an adductor injury in the first half.

Both PSG's goals were scored in the second half by Moise Kean, the on-loan Everton striker heading in Kylian Mbappe's corner in the 64th minute, and then turning to fire in the second late on.

BARCA BACK TO WINNING WAYS

In Italy, Barcelona bounced back from their weekend defeat in the El-Clasico against Real Madrid and shrug off the boardroom crisis which led to president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigning on Tuesday.

Ronald Koeman's side had luck on their side as they took the lead through a deflected Ousmane Dembele strike and then saw Alvaro Morata have three goals disallowed for offside for the hosts.

The absence of Ronaldo because of a positive coronavirus test meant no chance to see him renew his on-field rivalry with Lionel Messi, but the Argentine got his name on the scoresheet late on, netting a stoppage-time penalty to seal Barca's second victory in as many Group G outings.

❝I think we played our most complete game of the season.❞
– @RonaldKoeman, on #JuveBarça pic.twitter.com/4zpsRIvwUO

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 29, 2020

"This was our best game all season," said Koeman.

"The team reacted well, despite the resignation of the president. We were focused on football because all the other stuff is not our responsibility."

Juve had Turkish defender Merih Demirel sent off late on as their underwhelming start to the season under novice, former U-18 coach Andrea Pirlo.

Their next game is away at Ferencvaros, who came from behind to draw 2-2 with 10-man Dynamo Kyiv in Budapest.

HAALAND CANNOT STOP SCORING

Borussia Dortmund claimed their first points in Group F with Jadon Sancho's 78th-minute penalty and Erling Braut Haaland's stoppage-time strike securing a 2-0 win over Zenit Saint-Petersburg.

The Germans are a point behind Lazio and Club Brugge, who drew 1-1 in Belgium with a Hans Vanaken penalty securing a draw for the hosts.

Sevilla beat Rennes 1-0 in the same section with Luuk de Jong scoring the only goal.

Lazio had traveled without a host of players due to coronavirus, including star striker Ciro Immobile, but had gone in front early on through Joaquin Correa