In a bright, fluid opening Carlos Tevez tested Malafeev with a shot from distance which the keeper easily dealt with. At the other end Zenit, who left Arshavin on the bench, were looking far more threatening, Dominguez sending a free-kick just wide. Tevez was proving the most industrious United forward, wriggling free along the touchline and setting up Rooney, only to see the chance snuffed out. In the closing stages of the first half Zenit’s midfield began to take control of the game and just before the break their pressure bore fruit, Pogrebniak heading home a corner after Denisov flicked the ball on at the near post. After the break Arshavin was introduced, but it was new signing Danny who stole the show with a fine solo goal, beating Rio Ferdinand before firing low past Van der Sar. United hit back from a corner, Rooney (who had another quiet game) found Tevez at the back post, who cut back to Vidic to force the ball home. With their tails up United pressed for an equaliser with a host of good chances, while an Arshavin-Danny counter-attack almost saw Zenit add a third. In the dying stages Paul Scholes had a moment of madness, palming Brown’s cross to claim an equaliser. Scholes was shown a second yellow card and will now miss United’s Champions League opener.

Per la prima volta nella storia, una squadra russa conquista la Supercoppa Europea: gli avversari della Juve nel girone di Champions battono meritatamente il Manchester Utd per 2-1. Di Pogrebnyak, Danny e Vidic le reti del match.