Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action from the first-leg clash at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Super sub Anthony Elanga spared Manchester United’s blushes at Atletico Madrid as Ralf Rangnick’s side snatched a scarcely deserved 1-1 draw in the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie.
Wednesday’s clash at a rocking Wanda Metropolitano brought together two Jekyll and Hyde sides that stand no chance of ending challenging seasons with domestic honours.
United again underwhelmed on Wednesday evening, but teenage substitute Elanga cancelled out Joao Felix’s early bullet header to secure Rangnick’s men what could prove to be an important draw with Atletico.
The interim manager may, in truth, have been satisfied to leave Spain with a narrow first-leg loss given the abolishment of away goals and the fact his side floundered for much of the night.
Felix’s thundering early header gave Atleti a seventh-minute lead and cumbersome United were breathing a sigh of relief when Sime Vrsaljko hit the crossbar just before the break.
The home fans certainly enjoyed Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo struggling for United, who would score with their first shot on target in the 80th minute.
Teenage substitute Elanga kept his cool after being put through by Bruno Fernandes and slotted past Jan Oblak, with Antoine Griezmann rattling the woodwork as Diego Simeone’s Atleti pushed for a late winner.
Relive all the action below.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
63 mins: Luis Suarez warming up on the sidelines. Will we see the former Liverpool striker come on against Manchester United? It wouldn’t be a welcome sight for the United centre-backs, that’s for sure.
Meanwhile, United are still yet to make any changes. Surely Rangnick has to do something soon? They are sleepwalking towards a defeat at the moment.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
60 mins: United are pressing higher up the pitch now. A neat piece of play ends with Rashford failing to find Fernandes inside the penalty area.
Lindelof then commits a needless foul and goes in the book.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
57 mins: Fernandes finds himself with a bit of room in the penalty area, only for Savic to come across and snuff out the danger with an important tackle.
Atletico just look so much more cohesive in the midfield area. They work it seamlessly through Pogba and Fred before Lodi is held up by a sliding tackle from Lindelof and United eventually win a goal kick.
Rashford then tries to line one up from 30 yards but it’s about 30 yards over the bar. Dreadful.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
54 mins: Atletico try to build another attack as United are caught upfield but Lodi pushes the ball too far in front of him when it finds its way over to him.
United are beginning to settle a tad as they keep possession for solid 90 seconds or so, but Rashford then fails to pick the right pass in the final third.
Joao Felix draws a foul in between Fernandes and Lindelof. A majestic forward’s display from the 22-year-old Portuguese star so far. He’s been the standout Portuguese attacker, that’s for sure.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
51 mins: Llorente sends a dangerous ball into the box and Lindelof heads away at the back post as Lodi waited for it to drop - he has been superb so far, the Atletico Madrid left-back.
United come forward as they build a rare attack. But Fernandes then scoops a ball miles beyond Shaw and out of play. Indicative of his game and form in recent times.
Shaw then receives a yellow card for a foul on Vrsaljko. First booking of the night.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
48 mins: Manchester United start the second half how they ended the first - sloppily. Fred tries to find Lindelof on the right but plays it straight out of play.
Atletico then come forward and Felix’s shot is deflected away for another corner for the hosts. Herrera delivers and it’s half cleared away before Llorente thumps an effort wide.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
46 mins: Here we go then with the second half. No substitutions for either side. Rangnick showing some faith in the XI who were so poor in that first period.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
Much to ponder. The second half is about to get underway. What does Ralf have up his sleeve?
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
Here is the goal which separates the two sides at the break. It’s a great ball from Lodi and a wonderful diving header from Felix. Superb.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
That’s half-time and it has been total one-way traffic. The only positive for Manchester United is that they are just the one goal behind.
Joao Felix’s superb header has given Atletico the lead at the break. What can Ralf Rangnick conjure up in the next 15 minutes?
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