In The Zone: Nico Paz shows star quality for Como against Manchester United

"From when we start playing football, we dream of playing on nights like these." So said Nico Paz on the eve of Manchester United's visit to Como and how that dream came true as the Argentinian No10 delivered a fantastic Player of the Match performance on a famous night for the UEFA Champions League newcomers.

As UEFA Technical Observer Roberto Martínez said: "He executed two goals and an assist in the first three goals. That's star material. It was like watching Maradona, watching that type of player that gets the team on his shoulders." The following video analysis, brought to you by FedEx, will illustrate the extent of that impact.

As a 19-year-old, Paz had a goalscoring cameo as a Real Madrid substitute against Napoli in this competition. Now 22, he came of age with Argentina when scoring in three successive friendlies in recent weeks. Followed by this. "You want players that live up to the expectations or to the size of the game," Martínez added of his impact, which began straight away with the second-minute opening goal.

Analysing Paz's strike, Martínez said: "I love Nico's clinical touch. He's a wonderful footballer with great balance and likes to have the ball in close control. You can see what he was going to do. You could see the space that he had. The execution was perfect."

Como's No10 then turned creator at the start of the second half with his assist for Tasos Douvikas' goal in the 49th minute – his third assist of the league phase.

As for Paz's second goal, this came after he dispossessed Carlos Baleba while fulfilling coach Cesc Fàbregas' demand for relentless pressing. Martínez admired the cool finish that followed, saying: "He's got almost 25 metres that he's running with the ball, then he gets there and he finishes. He was clinical."

He certainly was. "It's one of the most special nights in my life, in my career," said Paz himself. "Not only for me but also for the club and the fans." The stuff of dreams no less.

Former Spanish midfielder Roberto Martínez shone in England as a player then as a coach with both Wigan and Swansea, before a spell in charge of Premier League Everton heralded even higher-profile work. Belgium boss from 2016–22, he then took the Portugal helm, overseeing their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League triumph.