Man Utd escape with a draw against Atletico Madrid
Manchester United were spared a damaging and deserved defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday as Anthony Elanga’s late goal rescued them a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
⏰ RESULT ⏰
Anthony Elanga the hero for Manchester United; João Félix nets brilliant opener…
🤔 Fair result? #UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
Atletico outplayed a sluggish United for the majority of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano and might have considered Joao Felix’s early goal scant reward heading into the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks’ time.
João Félix back on target in the Champions League ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Cm5BbW4v8
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
But rather than extend their advantage, Atletico squandered it, Elanga racing onto a Bruno Fernandes through ball and applying a cool finish with 10 minutes left to earn United a draw that felt like a victory.
🇸🇪 Anthony Elanga becomes the youngest Swedish goalscorer in the Champions League (19 years, 302 days) ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/0KAYPq0QqA
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
Bruno Fernandes has now provided 7 assists in his 6 Champions League appearances this season 🎯#UCL pic.twitter.com/HY2RI1b8rd
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
Atletico’s Sime Vrsaljko had already hit the crossbar at the end of the first half and Antoine Griezmann was also denied a late winner by the woodwork after Elanga’s equaliser.
🗣 Anthony Elanga reflects on a night he'll never forget! #MUFC | #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 23, 2022
But while United will breathe a sigh of relief at the result, this was another performance to prompt serious concerns about their progress and direction under interim coach Ralf Rangnick.
Ralf is already looking ahead to a delicately poised second leg at Old Trafford ⬇️#MUFC | #UCL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 23, 2022
In the first half, they failed to register a single touch in the Atletico Madrid box, the first time that has happened to a United side in the Champions League since at least 2005.