Madrid, Feb 24: Atlético Madrid got nearly everything it wanted against Manchester United in the Champions League — except for the win.
Atlético kept old foe Cristiano Ronaldo in check and got a stellar performance from his Portugal teammate João Félix, but a defensive lapse near the end meant Diego Simeone’s team had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16.
Félix — once touted as the next Ronaldo — was the most dangerous forward and put the hosts ahead with a diving header seven minutes into the match, but substitute Anthony Elanga equalized in the 80th shortly after coming off the bench in one of the few times the Atlético defense broke down.
“I think it was my first touch,” said Elanga, who became United’s youngest-ever scorer in the knockout stage at 19 years, 302 days.
“I’ve dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against a top team like Atlético Madrid.”
Atlético was in control during most of the match at the Wanda Metropolitano and twice hit the crossbar, including with an 86th-minute shot by Antoine Griezmann.
“They took advantage of a mistake in what was a very good game for us,” Simeone said. “We did almost everything right the entire match. We couldn’t win but I’m happy with how we played and it’s all wide open for the second game.”
The return leg will be on March 15 in England.
“After the performance in the first half it could only get better,” United coach Ralf Rangnick said.
“What we played in the first half — I still can’t believe it. We played without conviction and the necessary aggression against the ball.”
Ronaldo, who several times ended Atlético’s title hopes in the Champions League when he was with crosstown rival Real Madrid, struggled throughout the match and was visibly frustrated.
Isolated up front, he was booed by the Atlético fans nearly every time he touched the ball at the Metropolitano.
Félix was much more dangerous for Atlético, constantly threatening with his quick turns and strong runs. The 21-year-old forward opened the scoring with a powerful header off a well-placed cross by Renan Lodi.
The ball came off the post before going in to make Félix the first Portuguese player to score a Champions League goal against United since Ronaldo found the net for Juventus against the English side in November 2018.
It was Félix’s seventh Champions League goal in 20 appearances in the competition, and first since 2020.
With the 37-year-old Ronaldo well defended and not being able to connect with his teammates, United seemed beaten until Elanga broke free to find the net from inside the area after a nice through ball from playmaker Bruno Fernandes, the competition’s assists leader with seven.
Elanga had entered the match five minutes earlier and took advantage of the rare space given up by the Atlético defense, scoring United’s 500th goal in the competition previously known as the European Cup.
Atlético finished with 13 total attempts but only one on target, while United had two on target from nine in total.
Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak was credited with the only save of the game.
Griezmann, who started on the bench along with Luis Suárez, had the chance to put Atlético ahead again near the end but his shot hit the crossbar. (AP)
