For his 36th match against Atlético, the club he has faced the most in his career, "CR7" spent more time enraging against the refereeing or the inaccuracies of his team than bringing danger to the goals from Jan Oblak.

The Portuguese, scorer 25 times against the Colchoneros, one of his favorite prey, fell into line at the Metropolitano stadium, which did not hesitate to whistle him throughout the meeting.

But the Mancunians were able to react despite great difficulties, thanks to a pure product of their training center, Anthony Elanga (19), scorer just after coming into play (80th) on a counter-attack.

The joy of Manchester United's Swedish striker, Anthony Elanga, after equalizing (1-1) against Atlético Madrid, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, on February 23, 2022 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium JAVIER SORIANO AFP

It was however Atlético who had unlocked this shock of the eighth of C1, thanks to a spectacular goal from Joao Félix, author of a remarkable header on a perfect cross from Renan Lodi (7th).

Atlético Madrid's Portuguese striker Joao Felix opens the scoring at home against Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on February 23, 2022 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium OSCAR DEL POZO AFP

With Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez on the bench at kick-off - the Frenchman is coming back from injury and has only played the last quarter of an hour -, the people of Madrid have produced a promising performance, the antithesis of their daily life in the Championship, winded.

They will be able to blame themselves for having left their match in the last minutes, like having seen Griezmann's attempt hit the bar in the last minutes (87th).

Coach Diego Simeone, who is going through a difficult period, will play a lot in the return match, on March 15 in England.

Haller goalscorer in both goals

The same evening will be disputed another undecided ticket for the quarter-finals, between Ajax and Benfica.

The Dutch however seemed to hold an away victory on Wednesday evening, with a good domination in the first period, symbolized by the goal of Dusan Tadic with a superb half-volley (18th), followed by the 11th achievement this season in C1 of the Franco-Ivorian Sébastien Haller (29th).

The leader of the scorers' ranking in the event panics the counters: he becomes the first player to score as many goals in his first season in the Champions League, ahead of Erling Haaland (10 goals in 2019-20).

The joy of the Ivorian striker of Ajax Amsterdam Sebastien Haller, author of the 2nd goal against Benfica, during the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, on February 23, 2022 at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon CARLOS COSTA AFP

But Haller will probably regret having conceded a little earlier an own goal (26th), which will weigh heavily an hour later, at the end of a match of high intensity.

Indeed, the Lisbon people delivered a serious second period and ended up equalizing thanks to Roman Yaremchuk (72nd).

Benfica's Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk beats Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Remko Pasveer and equalizes (2-2) in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on February 23, 2022 at Stade de la Luz in Lisbon CARLOS COSTA AFP

The round of 16 second leg, scheduled for March 8, 9, 15 and 16, will hold their share of suspense for many: four out of eight round of 16 gave birth to a draw in the first leg, only Liverpool having managed to take more two-goal lead in the first leg, against Sporting Lisbon (5-0).

© 2022 AFP