Manchester United were spared a damaging and deserved defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday as Anthony Elanga’s late goal rescued them a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
Atletico outplayed a sluggish United for the majority of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano and might have considered Joao Felix’s early goal scant reward heading into the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks’ time.
But rather than extend their advantage, Atletico squandered it, Elanga racing on to a Bruno Fernandes through-ball and applying a cool finish with 10 minutes left to earn United a draw that felt like a victory.
Ronaldo was whistled before kick-off, along with former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, and a fervent atmosphere provided the backdrop for a scintillating Atletico start.
United were nervy as Harry Maguire needlessly headed behind for an Atletico corner before an anxious Fernandes touch allowed Jose Gimenez a shot at goal – but Victor Lindelof made an excellent block.
United looked uncomfortable playing out from the back and it was from a skewed David De Gea clearance that Atletico won a corner. United headed away but Renan Lodi swung in a brilliant cross from the left and Felix was there to meet it, his fine diving header flying in off the post.
Atletico were faster, hungrier and firmer in their approach. They kept robbing United of possession but lacked the final pass. United grew frustrated, Ronaldo in particular, and for 10 minutes the game was diverted to his histrionics, the boos and whistles growing louder.
It could have been worse at half time as Vrsaljko headed against the crossbar, Lodi’s cross coming quick to him at the back post but the net was gaping.
United improved and there was a period around the hour mark when Atletico seemed to be ceding control. There were precious few chances, though, and when Ronaldo curled a free kick harmlessly over, Atletico looked close to victory.
Instead, United put together their best – and only – fluid move of the match as the ball was popped through midfield before Fernandes threaded Elanga through. Atletico’s Reinildo Mandava committed himself but fell, allowing Elanga to skip clear and send an excellent finish rolling into the far corner.
Griezmann, on as a substitute, curled against the crossbar with four minutes left but a deflated Atletico were unable to restore their advantage.
In the other game on the night, Sebastien Haller kept up his remarkable scoring record in this season’s competition by finding the target at the right end shortly after putting through his own net as Ajax drew 2-2 with Benfica in their last-16 first leg on Wednesday.
Haller’s 26th-minute own goal cancelled out Dusan Tadic’s opener for the Dutch champions at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, but the Ivory Coast striker then put Ajax back in front just three minutes later.
It was not enough for Erik ten Hag’s side to win the game, as Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench in the second half to earn Benfica a deserved draw.
