Manchester United and Atletico Madrid will have it all to play for at Old Trafford next week, following an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in Wednesday’s Champions League round-of-16 battle.
The home side started the game on the front foot, taking the lead early after João Félix bulleted home a header from an excellent cross by Brazilian full-back Renan Lodi.
Sime Vrsaljko really should’ve doubled the lead before half-time for the Spanish champions before the break, heading an effort that deflected off Victor Lindelöf onto David De Gea’s crossbar.
United performed well below expectation in the first half, having to rely on a spirited second-half display to gain a positive end result. Ralf Rangnick’s substitutions gave the Red Devils a new lease of life late in the game when Anthony Elanga latched on to a through ball from Bruno Fernandes, before confidently slotting past Jan Oblak.
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After the disappointment of his penalty miss seeing United knocked out of the FA Cup earlier this month, Elanga has since bounced back superbly, with this important European strike coming off the back of a late goal at Leeds on Sunday.
Antione Griezmann then thought he had won the game late on, only to see his curling strike from inside the area rebound off of the crossbar.
It finished level, setting up a mouthwatering second leg in Manchester for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Atletico Madrid vs. Man United result
Atletico Madrid 1
Felix (7)
Man United 1
Elanga (80)
Atletico Madrid vs. Man United live updates
Full-time: All to play for in the second leg at Old Trafford as Anthony Elanga cancels out a first-half strike from Felix. What a game!
Elanga’s fine finish means we’re level going into the second leg at Old Trafford ?#MUFC | #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 23, 2022
93rd min: Manchester United pushing for what would be a sensational winner, a marked improvement from their first-half display.
87th min: So close! Griezmann hits the crossbar with a curled shot from inside the area.
82nd min: Jesse Lingard comes on for Jadon Sancho, could he be the match-winner for the Red Devils?
80th min: GOAL! Anthony Elanga equalizes for Manchester United with a clinical finish, game on at the Wanda Metropolitano!
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 23, 2022
76th min: Thomas Lemar and Antione Griezmann come on from the bench in place of Lodi and Felix, Rashford departs for Manchester United as Anthony Elanga comes on
75th min: Geoffrey Kondogbia fires a volley narrowly over the bar from outside the box, Fred also received a booking in the previous passage of play leading up to the strike.
71st min: Both sides are putting in the hard yards as the game reaches its final stretch.
As of 68 minutes, per UEFA stats, Atletico have covered 78.5 km compared to United’s 73.1km
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) February 23, 2022
67th min: Ralf Rangnick makes three substitutions to try and get back on level pegging. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic, and Alex Telles come on whilst Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelöf leave the field of play.
65th min: Marcus Rashford goes into the book after hauling down Llorente in his own half, the game is becoming a scrappy affair with both sides looking to gain territorial advantages.
64th min: Manchester United is building their way into the fixture, can they get a crucial goal to level the scoring?
Just over an hour played in Madrid. Keep pushing, lads!#MUFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/IsK4MLhZdc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 23, 2022
60th min: Victor Lindelöf receives a booking owing to a sloppy shirt pull on youngster Felix, a tactical foul if ever you did see one.
57th min: Some potential movement on the bench from Manchester United?
Elanga, Dalot and Telles warming up. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 23, 2022
51st min: Luke Shaw receives a booking from the referee, following a late challenge on Šime Vrsaljko which won’t please manager Ralf Rangnick.
46th min: We’re underway for the second half of this UEFA Champions League fixture.
Half-time: Geoffrey Kondogbia has been outstanding for Atletico Madrid in the first half, completing their aggressive style of play with minimal fuss. Ralf Rangnick may need to tactically tweak his side in order to match the Spanish champions in midfield.
In the first half vs Man Utd, Geoffrey Kondogbia ranked 1st amongst players on the pitch for:
• ground duels won [7]
• tackles won [4]
• successful take-ons [2]Bossing the midfield battle. ?? pic.twitter.com/IREVt632oy
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2022
Half-time: Premier League and La Liga legend Gary Lineker is not impressed with Man United’s first-half performance. He won’t be the only one as Atletico Madrid has been by far the more imposing side.
Awful first half from @ManUtd. The only positive is they’re only one down against a very dominant @atletienglish.
— Gary Lineker ? (@GaryLineker) February 23, 2022
Half-time: Atletico Madrid ends the half on top as they lead Man United 1-0, much to Cristiano Ronaldo’s dismay.
45th min: Vrsaljko heads on to the bar from close range! It should really be 2-0 to Atletico Madrid.
44th min: João Félix continues to pick up intelligent positions in the final third, demonstrating his quality as one of the finest young footballers in Europe.
João Félix back on target in the Champions League ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Cm5BbW4v8
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
37th min: Cristiano Ronaldo takes on a long-range strike which ends up well wide of Oblak’s post, perhaps a warning shot from the Manchester United star who has been quiet so far.
34th min: Lodi takes in a cross-field pass before firing a powerful shot into the side-netting.
28th min: Felix fires a volley over the bar after another sweeping cross by Lodi, still 1-0 to Atletico Madrid.
25th min: What an atmosphere! The Atletico Madrid fans are really making their voices heard in the Spanish capital.
Amazing atmosphere ?⚪ pic.twitter.com/1ORXsexFNw
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 23, 2022
22nd min: Man United are building their way into proceedings, however, Atletico Madrid is looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
16th min: Bruno Fernandes fires deflected shot just over the bar after some good work from Marcus Rashford.
11th min: Diego Simeone will be delighted with the start his side has made. Manchester United looks uncomfortable and under pressure so far.
7th min: GOAL! Atletico Madrid opens the scoring, Felix runs across Harry Maguire and clinically converts a sensational cross from Lodi.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 23, 2022
3rd min: Victor Lindelöf makes a magnificent challenge to block what would have been a certain goal for Atletico Madrid. Manchester United is under the cosh early on.
1st min: We’re underway at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
2.45pm: There is no secret that trophies have evaded Manchester United in recent years. The Old Trafford club have not won a major honour since May 2017, adding huge emphasis to their pursuit of Champions League glory this season.
2.40pm: Undoubtedly, Angel Correa will be a huge threat for Atletico Madrid against the Red Devils. Will the Argentine striker be able to add to his commendable 17 goal contributions this season in all competitions? Diego Simeone will certainly hope so.
2.30pm: Could Fred be an unlikely hero for Manchester United against Atletico Madrid? His cameo against Leeds United last weekend was very impressive, scoring and helping his side to a vital three points. He will be desperate to make the most of this unexpected chance.
2.08pm: Scott McTominay’s absence in midfield will come as a big blow to Manchester United, given his contribution to their improved form in recent weeks. Ralf Rangnick will be hoping that his selections in the middle of the pitch can mitigate for his omission.
1:53pm: The Atletico Madrid team news is also in! Diego Simeone names his starting eleven.
Our starting XI ? pic.twitter.com/YXZzptC6am
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 23, 2022
1:52pm: The Man United team news is in! Very strong team selection by Ralf Rangnick.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 23, 2022
1:40pm: Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is certainly under no illusions regarding the task his side face tonight, stating that they will “need to be prepared for an emotional and hostile atmosphere” as they make the trip to the Spanish capital to face Atletico Madrid. Quite the statement indeed from the German interim coach.
1:20pm: Welcome to Sporting News’ live coverage of Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16. Confirmed team news will be here at the top of the hour.
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