MANCHESTER UNITED earned a crucial draw at Atletico Madrid.
The home side made a dream start when Harry Maguire failed to pick up Joao Felix, who netted with a bullet header.
But Anthony Elanga beat Jan Oblak with a cool finish to get the Red Devils an equaliser they scarcely deserved.
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That’s all from the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
The score is all square as Atletico Madrid and Man Utd head to Old Trafford for the second leg of this round-of-16 fixture.
The next leg will be played on March 15.
Ralf Rangnick was certainly correct when he predicted that the draw would be decided in Manchester!
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Goals galore
Anthony Elanga’s goal was Man Utd’s 500th in the European Cup/Champions League.
Only Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid have scored more.
Ralf’s relief
When speaking to BT Sport, Ralf Rangnick said:
“I don’t know if I rescued it, but after the performance in the first half, it could only get better.
“What we played in the first half, I still can’t believe what we did. We played without conviction, without all the necessary aggression, that’s why we really struggled.
“Second half we did better, and with another ten minutes, we might have even won the game. But we have to play better.
“I was very disappointed with our performance in the first half. We were far too apprehensive, and didn’t take any risks, without any deep runs or verticality.
“Anthony Elanga is playing as if his dream has come true. I wish a few other players would take him a role model, not because he’s doing everything right, but he’s enjoying himself on the pitch, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Credit: Getty
El-ated
When speaking to BT Sport, Anthony Elanga said:
“I think that was my first touch as well!”
“I’ve dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League. A big occasion like this, against a top European team like Atletico Madrid, is a dream come true.”
“But it’s only the first half, and we’ve got to be ready for Old Trafford in a couple of weeks.”
“I want to give it 150% every time I step on the pitch.”
“I appreciate the boss, every time he puts me on I want to repay the favour to him.”
“He said to me to just do what I always do, make the defenders scared and run in behind.”
“I wanted a good result for the fans because they have travelled a long way.”
Credit: Getty Full Time – Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
Man Utd were second-best for the majority of the game.
They had some poor periods of play and could have been considered lucky not to concede more goals.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were quiet throughout and failed to make much of an impact, but super-sub Anthony Elanga influenced the game as soon as he stepped onto the pitch.
Credit: EPA Full Time – Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
Atletico Madrid were dominant throughout the game and were undoubtedly the most threatening side.
Joao Felix, Angel Correa and Geoffrey Kondogbia continued to play with high intensity whilst they were on the pitch, helping to force the opposition onto the back foot.
The Red Devils were forced into some mistakes, especially during the first half, but Los Colchoneros made a few of their own in the late stages which allowed Elanga to level the score.
Credit: EPA Full Time – Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
What a result for Man Utd!
Felix’s early goal was cancelled out late in the game by super-sub Elanga.
Not the strongest performance from the Red Devils, but they will certainly be happy with the outcome.
Credit: PA 90+4 Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
Lingard strikes from the edge of the penalty area.
Oblak does well to get down and make the save.
90. Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
Four minutes will be added on…
Man Utd are looking for the winner.
89. Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
Griezmann hits the bar!!!
Late drama at the Wanda Metropolitano!
Sancho is replaced by Lingard for Man Utd.
81. Atletico Madrid 1-1 Man Utd
Fernandes receives the ball in midfield and makes an excellent pass through to Elanga.
Reinildo miss-times the challenge which allows the striker to break through and place the ball into the bottom left corner.
Credit: EPA 80. GOOOAAAAALLLLLLL MAN UTD!!!!!!
Super-sub Elanga levels the score!
78. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Man Utd have a free kick in a dangerous position after a foul from Correa on Fred.
Ronaldo steps up to take, but his shot flies over the bar.
Credit: Reuters 76. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Atletico Madrid make their first substitutions.
Felix makes way for Griezmann.
Lodi makes way for Lemar.
76. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Man Utd make another substitution.
Elanga comes on to replace Rashford.
74. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Lodi drives down the left before attempting to cross the ball into Correa, but Varane does well to clear the danger.
Atletico continue to press and Fred is booked for a challenge on Correa.
72. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
The ball is crossed into the Man Utd penalty area from a corner.
It eventually falls to Felix who attempts a bicycle kick, but his effort is well off-target.
67. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Rashford is booked for a challenge on Llorente.
Man Utd make their first substitutions of the game.
Matic replaces Pogba.
Wan-Bissaka replaces Lindelof.
Telles replaces Shaw.
64. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Reinildo is booked for a challenge on Pogba.
Man Utd have a free kick in a dangerous position but Atletico Madrid do well to clear.
60. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Felix does well to turn away from Pogba and Lindelof before driving forward.
Lindelof brings him down as he accelerates away and is booked.
57. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Rashford shoots from distance but his attempt flies into the upper tier of the Wanda Metropolitano.
Man Utd are enjoying a positive spell at the moment, but they are just lacking the cutting edge in front of goal.
55. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
The ball is crossed to Fernandes in the box.
He attempts to bring it down but his touch runs away from him and Savic is there to make the tackle and clear the danger.
48. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Atletico Madrid have a corner.
Correa sends the ball into the penalty area and Maguire heads away.
But, Llorente is there to win it back on the edge of the box and volleys towards goal.
His effort runs wide.
Man Utd are under pressure again.
Kick Off – Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
We’re back underway!
This is a huge 45 minutes for Man Utd.
Half Time – Atletico Madrid 1-0 Man Utd
Atletico Madrid have played with high intensity from the off, forcing errors from their opposition and then capitalising on them.
The Man Utd defenders have looked nervous throughout the first half, and some might say that the Red Devils are lucky to be trailing by just one goal.
Correa, Felix and Kondogbia have all been excellent so far.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
