Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight

Relive all the action from the first-leg clash at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium

(AFP via Getty Images)

Super sub Anthony Elanga spared Manchester United’s blushes at Atletico Madrid as Ralf Rangnick’s side snatched a scarcely deserved 1-1 draw in the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie.

Wednesday’s clash at a rocking Wanda Metropolitano brought together two Jekyll and Hyde sides that stand no chance of ending challenging seasons with domestic honours.

United again underwhelmed on Wednesday evening, but teenage substitute Elanga cancelled out Joao Felix’s early bullet header to secure Rangnick’s men what could prove to be an important draw with Atletico.

The interim manager may, in truth, have been satisfied to leave Spain with a narrow first-leg loss given the abolishment of away goals and the fact his side floundered for much of the night.

Felix’s thundering early header gave Atleti a seventh-minute lead and cumbersome United were breathing a sigh of relief when Sime Vrsaljko hit the crossbar just before the break.

The home fans certainly enjoyed Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo struggling for United, who would score with their first shot on target in the 80th minute.

Teenage substitute Elanga kept his cool after being put through by Bruno Fernandes and slotted past Jan Oblak, with Antoine Griezmann rattling the woodwork as Diego Simeone’s Atleti pushed for a late winner.

Relive all the action below.

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

• 80’: Elanga equalises on counter-attack
• 7’: Brilliant Joao Felix header gives Atletico an early lead
• Man United XI: De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Varane, Shaw, Fred, Pogba, Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho, Ronaldo
• Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Savic, Lodi, Kondogbia, Herrera, Reinildo, Llorente, Correa, Felix

[23 February 2022 19:24 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Ajax are travelling to Benfica in the other Champions League clash tonight. But this is where the real action is. This one feels more like a 50/50 than any of the other last 16 ties.

Atletico could win it 4-0. United could win it 4-0. It could be goalless or 2-2. Your guess is as good as mine.

[23 February 2022 19:22 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Less than 40 minutes until kick-off. Looking more in detail at Atletico’s team and it really does look like Simeone might be here to spoil the party. Again.

Hopefully United score early and they open up.

[23 February 2022 19:17 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo in the house. Atletico Madrid fans, please do not feint or dive for cover. Just remember, he is 37. Maybe he’s slowed down?

Also important to remember that he is searching for a 26th (26th!) goal against Atletico Madrid this evening. He has essentially scored a season’s worth of goals against one team.

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

[23 February 2022 19:12 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez on the bench for Atletico Madrid. That’s some firepower to bring on if things aren’t going well.

Meanwhile, I’m not sure even Diego Simeone knows how Manchester United are going to line up tonight. This is a big risk from Ralf Rangnick. He is going out on a limb, however he organises the 11 he has picked.

[23 February 2022 19:08 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Here is your Atletico Madrid team for this evening (take note Manchester United, this is the way to tweet your line-up).

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Vrsaljko, Mandava, Gimenez, Savic, Lodi, Llorente, Kondogbia, Herrera, Correa, Felix.

Subs: Lecomte, De Paul, Griezmann, Suarez, Lemar, Felipe, Hermoso, Serrano, Gomez Vela.

[23 February 2022 19:04 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Right, I’m going to say it’s either a 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2 for Manchester United.

De Gea in goal. Maguire, Lindelof and Varane in a back three. Sancho at right wingback, Shaw on the other side. Pogba and Fred in the centre of midfield. And then either Fernandes in the hole behind Rashford and Ronaldo or Fernandes and Rashford flanking Ronaldo.

A real conundrum.

[23 February 2022 19:00 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Here is your Manchester United team for this evening then.

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Varane, Pogba, Fred, Fernandes, Rashford, Sancho, Ronaldo.

Subs: Heaton, Henderson, Telles, Bailly, Dalot, Jones, Wan-Bissaka, Hannibal, Lingard, Mata, Matic, Elanga.

[23 February 2022 18:54 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Just a few minutes away from the team news for both sides. It’ll be intriguing to see how Ralf Rangnick opts to set up. You imagine he will go with the 4-2-3-1 which has been working for United over the last few games.

The 4-2-2-2 wasn’t working for the German and he recognised that and change it. For that, he needs to be praised.

[23 February 2022 18:51 · Dylan Terry]

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

How about this for a statistic then? Atletico Madrid and Manchester United have only met twice before in their history! What’s more, United have never beaten Atletico in a competitive game.

Atleti beat them 3-0 in the UEFA European Cup Winners Cup in 1991 and two weeks later drew with them 1-1 in the return fixture.

This is their FIRST meeting in the Champions League.

[23 February 2022 18:46 · Dylan Terry]

Team news

The line-ups will be out in less than 20 minutes. Until then, this is what we know.

Atletico have a mixed bag of injuries and suspensions affecting their squad. Yannick Carrasco and Felipe are both suspended, Daniel Wass and Matheus Cunha are injured and there’s doubt over Thomas Lemar as he tested positive for Covid.

In better news for the hosts, Antoine Griezmann is expected to be on the bench.

For United, Edinson Cavani has a groin issue, but Eric Bailly could return from his ankle injury.