Featured Image Credit: BT Sport
Topics: Angel Di Maria, Juventus, Manchester United, Europa League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Angel Di Maria, Juventus, Manchester United, Europa League
Former Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria has scored an incredible long-range curling effort for Juventus during their Europa League clash with Nantes.
Juve went into the game in France tied at 1-1, and faced a heated atmosphere inside the Beaujoire Stadium.
Given their recent Serie A points deduction - which the club has officially appealed - winning the Europa League could represent their best chance of playing Champions League football next season.
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Up against a Nantes side that had opted for an attacking outlook from the outset, with winger Moises Simon playing at wing-back, they looked to take the initiative early.
And Max Allegri's side did just that, with Di Maria putting them ahead inside five minutes. And it was certainly a goal to remember.
Receiving the ball just outside the area, the World Cup winner with Argentina saw himself in the perfect position for a trademark left-footed curling effort.
And he hit a first-time effort that flew over goalkeeper Alban Lafont and into the top corner of the net.
Di Maria then went on a mazy run into the area before winning a penalty. Veteran defender Nicolas Pallois was shown a red card for handball as the winger attempted to put the ball over the line from close range.
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The Argentinian took the spot kick himself, converting it to score his second of the night to put Juve 2-0 ahead in France.
He is remembered by United fans for his unsuccessful one-year spell at the club between 2014 and 2015, but the last few months have been incredible for Di Maria.
After winning the World Cup in December, he is currently well on his way to guiding his club side to a spot in the Europa League round of 16 draw, which takes place on Friday.