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
21 mins: Fernandes already showing his frustration as a throw-in decision goes against him.
Sancho and Fernandes have swapped sides. The former Dortmund man is over on the right now as Fernandes drifts over to the left. There’s the flexibility Rangnick was talking about pre-game (I guess).
A little lull in the game as Atletico tuck back into their defensive shape and United remain a little baffled as to how to break them down.
The hosts win the ball back and break but Felix can’t quite find Lodi bursting down the left.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
19 mins: Fred clips a ball in behind for Lindelof but the defender can’t quite get it under control and Lodi is back there to sweep up.
Correa then draws a foul from Fred in the middle of the park and Atletico can reset. This is the type of game Simeone would have wanted.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
17 mins: First sniff of an attack for the visitors. Rashford shows his strength before skipping away from a couple of challenges. He lays it off for Fernandes who sends a deflected strike out for a corner.
Shaw whips it in after a lot of jostling in the penalty area. Headed clear with ease.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
15 mins: Ralf Rangnick said before the game that this formation gives him the ability to adapt during the match. Well, they are behind early on so let’s see how they adapt.
Herrera works his way out of trouble superbly and sets Felix away as he darts through the United defence. He is brought down by Rashford but the referee is unmoved.
It’s straight back with Atletico, though. United can’t get into the game.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
Big moment in the tie?
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
12 mins: Worth saying that Lindelof is very much playing as a right-back now. A strange decision given Wan-Bissaka is on the bench.
United have their first lengthy spell of possession as whistles ring around the Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico have dropped into deep block now. This is what they do, after all.
The whistles get a bit louder as Ronaldo gets on the ball for the first time. The pantomime villain tonight.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
9 mins: It was a wonderful cross from Lodi and an even better header from Joao Felix. He rose and hung so well before powering it beyond De Gea.
That hang time though. Dare I say it, Ronaldo-esque?
This is going to be a tough task for Manchester United now. Atletico have them just where they’ll want them.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Manchester United (Felix, 7)
7 mins: Another corner for Atletico Madrid as they continue to pile on the early pressure.
And there’s the goal! Lodi sends in a wicked delivery and Joao Felix gets across Harry Maguire to fire a header in off the post!
Wonderful start from Atletico and they get their reward.
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Manchester United
6 mins: The game is all Atletico at the start and Joao Felix opts to drive at the United back line. He goes for a pot shot on the edge of the area and it’s high and wide.
The Wanda Metropolitano is bouncing, though. It’s been a really positive start from the Spanish champions.
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Manchester United
3 mins: Atletico kill the tempo immediately at the start of the game.
De Gea and Maguire then get caught in a bit of a mix-up and Atletico earn themselves a cheap corner.
It’s swung in but Maguire avenges his error to clear away.
Oh hang on though! A low cross and it drops to Kondogbia who gets his shot away but that’s a sensational block from Lindelof!
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