The match was counter-attack. Manchester United was ahead at home. But Brazilian defender Renan Lodi scored his first goal on a European stage in a night that made the difference.
Lodi’s lone goal at Old Trafford on Tuesday gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 victory in the last leg of the last 16. Diego Simeone’s side put the last eight legs ahead 2-1 with two legs in it, Ronaldo said goodbye. The first leg was drawn 1-1 in Madrid.
United took a total of 11 shots in the match with 61 percent possession of the ball, 5 of which were on target. Atletico, on the other hand, can aim 3 shots at 6 shots, one of which is a goal.
Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick in the previous match against Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, was his shadow on Tuesday night. His faded performance did not fulfill United’s dream.
United could have gone ahead early in the match. But Anthony Elenga, who saved the team by scoring late in the first leg, missed a golden opportunity in the 13th minute. Goalkeeper Ian Oblac blocked his shot with his head from close range on Bruno Fernandez’s cross.
David De Gea saved United with a great save two minutes later. Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul’s powerful shot bounced off the Spanish goalkeeper with one hand.
Atletico’s Joao Felix sent the ball into the net in the 34th minute but the referee canceled it due to offside. However, the visitors did not have to wait long.
Just before the break, in the 41st minute, Lodi led the team with a great header from Antoya Griezmann’s cross. The 23-year-old scored his first goal in the 25th match of the Champions League.
Ronaldo’s presence on the field was not found. United coach Ralph Rangnik was forced to make three changes in the 8th minute. Nemania Matic, Elenga and Fernandez were replaced by Scott McTamin, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba.
But fate did not change. United made several attacks in the rest of the time but could not open the scoring. They have to say goodbye after losing at home.
In another Champions League match, Benfica beat Ajax 1-0 at home to advance 3-2 with two legs.