João Felix’s robust header had given Atletico an early lead in Wednesday’s sport and the house facet seemed not off course for victory, having managed court cases on the Wanda Metropolitano.
However the 19-year-old Elanga, introduced on as a second-half exchange by way of Ralf Rangnick, leveled the tie with United’s first — and handiest — not off course shot of the night time after he used to be put via on purpose by way of Bruno Fernandes’ go.
“I have dreamt of moments like this, scoring within the Champions League,” Elanga advised BT Game. “Clearly, a large instance like this in opposition to a best Eu group like Atletico Madrid, like I mentioned, it is a dream come true.”
Felix, one among Atletico’s standout avid gamers within the sport, had given Atletico the lead after simply seven mins, when he attached with Renan Lodi’s pass to fireside a header off the publish and into the Manchester United internet.
Some other Lodi pass virtually created a moment purpose for the house facet on the finish of the primary 1/2, however Sime Vrsaljko’s header deflected off Victor Lindelof’s face and onto the crossbar.
Atletico seemed more likely to cling onto the lead during the second one 1/2, however Elanga’s first-time end on 80 mins — his first purpose within the Champions League — dramatically modified the complexion of the tie.
Antoine Griezmann got here with regards to restoring Atletico’s lead mins later, however his left-footed shot from within the United field bounced off the crossbar.
Elanga’s purpose manner the tie is frivolously poised forward of the second one leg in Manchester on March 16.
And after difficult home campaigns up to now this season — reigning L. a. Liga champion Atletico is 5th within the Spanish league, whilst Manchester United is fourth within the English Premier League — each groups will probably be looking to stay their hopes alive within the Champions League.
In Wednesday’s different sport, Benfica and Ajax drew 2-2 after Ajax had two times led on the Estadio da Luz.
Dusan Tadic opened the scoring for the Dutch facet with a 1/2 volley ahead of Sebastian Haller’s personal purpose made it 1-1. 4 mins later, then again, Haller scored on the different finish to present Ajax the lead at halftime along with his 11th purpose in seven Champions League video games — the quickest it has taken any participant to get to 11 objectives within the pageant’s historical past.
However, with 18 mins last, Roman Yaremchuk equalized for Benfica with a close-range header to stage the tie forward of the second one leg in Amsterdam subsequent month.
