Manchester United teen Anthony Elanga spared his facet’s blushes with a late aim to salvage a 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid within the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 first leg.
With all different English groups having received their first leg video games, the main target was on Manchester United to placed on efficiency on the Wanda Metropolitano in opposition to an Atletico Madrid facet that has struggled badly in La Liga this season.
A quick begin from the Spanish champions surprised Manchester United, and so they quickly discovered themselves behind following a terrific aim from Portuguese star Joao Felix. The ahead related brilliantly with a cross from Renan Lodi within the seventh minute, sending a header into the again of the web by way of the within of the best upright.
Atletico Madrid continued to dominate proceedings, with their system stopping Manchester United from making any kind of headway within the match. Croatian defender Sime Vrsaljko noticed his header come again off the submit within the closing phases of the primary half.
The Purple Devils failed to the touch the ball in Atletico Madrid’s field all through the complete first half of the match.
Manchester United managed to stay within the recreation with out offering any actual threats to Atletico Madrid earlier than the substitution of Elanga proved pivotal.
{The teenager} got here on for the ineffectual Marcus Rashford within the seventy fifth minute and had Manchester United again stage a mere 5 minutes later.
Sweden U-21 worldwide Elanga latched onto a via go from Bruno Fernandes and was left one on one with Jan Oblak after Reinildo Mandava missed his deal with on the 19-year-old. Elanga stored a cool head and slotted an effort into the far nook past the attain of Oblak, who tried in useless to unfold himself earlier than the teen.
Atletico Madrid appeared to have the ultimate say however had been denied by the crossbar when Antoine Griezmann curled an effort from contained in the field in opposition to the crossbar with David de Gea rooted.
Manchester United will welcome Atletico Madrid to Outdated Trafford in three weeks’ time for his or her second leg conflict with every thing at stake for each groups.
