Champions League: Own goal gives Barcelona advantage over Manchester United

Barcelona took control of their Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United by winning the first leg 1-0, thanks to a Luke Shaw own goal.

Shaw nudged Luis Suarez's header over his own line after 12 minutes at Old Trafford to give Barcelona the advantage heading into the return leg at home next Wednesday (NZ time).

The visitors started positively in Manchester and it didn't take long to break United's defence.

Lionel Messi ran on to a chipped pass behind the defence, and though Suarez's back-post header from his cross was going just wide, Shaw turned it into the net.   

United rallied with some long-range shots off target and had keeper David De Gea to thank for a quick foot denying Philippe Coutinho from the edge of the box.   

Diogo Dalot misjudged a header with United's best chance to level and Barcelona, who have not won the European crown since 2015 as rivals Real Madrid dominated, held on to their lead.   

Should Barcelona complete the job at home they could meet another Premier League side in the last four if Liverpool sees off Porto. 

 In the day's other match in Amsterdam, Ajax fought back to draw 1-1 against Juventus. 

Forward Cristiano Ronaldo struck in the last minute of the first half to put Juventus in front in a repeat of the 1996 final they won on penalties.   

Ajax fought back through David Neres immediately after the restart to balance the tie going back to Turin.   

Juventus almost stole it in the dying minutes when Douglas Costa hit the post after a fine solo run.   

Juventus have lost two finals in the past four years and if they overcome Ajax, will meet Spurs or Manchester City in the last hurdle before June showpiece in Madrid this year.   

Liverpool beat Porto 2-0 and Tottenham Hotspur edged out Manchester City 1-0 in the other quarter-finals on Wednesday. 

DPA