Man United scores late to salvage draw with Atletico in Champions League round of 16

Atletico Madrid kept old foe Cristiano Ronaldo in check but couldn't hold on to its lead against Manchester United, conceding late in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Joao Felix — once touted as the next Ronaldo — put the hosts ahead with a diving header seven minutes into the match, but substitute Anthony Elanga equalized in the 80th, five minutes after coming off the bench at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico was in control during most of the match and twice hit the crossbar, including with an 86th-minute shot by Antoine Griezmann.

The return leg will be on March 15 in England.

In the other round-of-16 match, Benfica and Ajax drew 2-2 in Portugal.

Felix was much more dangerous for Atletico, 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 Felix 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 Felix'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.

Griezmann, who started on the bench along with Luis Suarez, had the chance to put Atletico ahead again near the end but his shot hit the crossbar. Atletico also was held by the woodwork just before halftime when a