Anthony Elanga came off the bench to win Manchester United a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 contest.
On Wednesday, Joao Felix’s early header appeared to be the game-winner at Wanda Metropolitano, despite United’s offense being fairly dull throughout.
Indeed, for the first time since at least 2005-06, United failed to have a touch in the opposition box in the first half of a Champions League match, but Elanga grabbed his chance when it arrived.
Before halftime, the teenager made up for Marcos Llorente’s bad miss, and United will feel they have the upper hand moving into the second leg on March 15.
In Atleti’s much-needed win over Osasuna on Saturday, Joao Felix scored after just three minutes, and it took him just seven minutes this time.
Renan Lodi sent in an enticing cross for Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire, which Joao Felix headed home off David de Gea’s right-hand post.
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t get a shot on goal until the 37th minute, and he dragged well wide from outside the box, demonstrating Atleti’s dominance.
Atleti could have been 2-0 up at halftime, but Llorente smashed a close-range header against the crossbar after United were taken off guard by a well-worked free-kick.
Atleti continued where they left off, with Llorente slicing wide before making way for Antoine Griezmann with an acrobatic bicycle kick.
United’s miserable night appeared to be over with a dreadful Ronaldo free-kick, but Elanga had other plans.
Elanga pounced on Reinildo’s error just five minutes after replacing Marcus Rashford, finishing coolly beyond the hapless Jan Oblak, with United holding on despite Griezmann hitting the crossbar late on.
Source: livescore news
