It was a very lively start to the match, with Madrid having a few significant chances in the first 10 minutes of the game, with some flurries of potential attack by Manchester United. Robin Van Persie received a booking in the 5th minute, and Real Madrid came close to scoring with Coentrao moments after but was denied by a stunning save by De Gea on to the post.
Madrid had a series of attacking plays in the 12th minute, with great work by Ronaldo to try and get a look-in at goal, a brilliant one-two play almost had it scored for Madrid, but to no avail, and United got back into possession and dictated to a slower pace. It continued to go back and forth, Madrid were denied by some good defense. After more attack from Madrid, they got the first corner of the game, but the kick was not met by any player and went out for a throw-in. Madrid's attacking continued, and Manchester United were on the back foot and looking for an opening. Kagawa was however making a bit of noise, with some chances at goal, but could not get through.
GOAL: Welbeck (Header - 20')Manchester United's first corner was a valuable one, with Rooney taking the corner on to the head of Danny Welbeck, scoring on the 20th minute, a goal that went against the tide, many thought, but Madrid had conceded to a set piece. It was Manchester United's 7th headed goal this season in all competitions. It is an away goal that could come back to haunt Madrid.
The match continued to go back and forth, with United playing with momentum. Real Madrid got a corner kick from a long range shot from Di Maria, but was cleared away. The corners kept on coming for Madrid. Then a free kick, taken by Ronaldo, which was driven at the wall, and Ronaldo's rebounding shot just went wide.
GOAL: Ronaldo (Header - 30')
A wonderful header by Cristiano Ronaldo made it all even at the Bernabeu, with a perfect cross and a great header where Ronaldo leaped unebeliavably high in the air to take it in, great hangtime. A special goal which Evra had no chance to defend.
As we approached the half-hour mark in the match, we were even and things continued to go back and forth. It could have easily been 2 - 1 to United with Welbeck's touch at goal from a cross that was saveed by De Gea inches wide of the goal. The corner attempt came out to a courageous block by Alonso, followed by a shot wide by Rooney.De Gea had to make good save by Ozil at an acute angle at goal, and Madrid continued to increase the attack with close chances. Rafael was booked in the 40th minute, after having a hard time and struggling to cope with the attack. There were penalty shouts in the 41st minute when Di Maria went down, and as the vital end to the first half ensued, Madrid continued to attack and Manchester United's defenders and De Gea were kept busy. Ronaldo almost scored another header on the brink of half time.
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 1 - 1 Manchester United
Welbeck 20', Ronaldo 30'.
A very entertaining game of football in the first half, Real Madrid with more chances and a better hold on the game, but Manchester United restricted them to only the one goal. All was to play for in the second half...
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2013Second Half
The second half began with attacking flurries by Manchester United, a good start to the half by them. Things were beginning to open up in the second half. De Gea had to pull of more great saves, and as we continued past the hour mark, we were still even. Manchester United came unbelievably close with two big opportunities in the 72nd minute, with Welbeck close, and Van Persie's shot being cleared off the line by Xabi Alonso. We were then back at the other half of the pitch with a Madrid free-kick which fell to Khedira but went over the bar. De Gea was unstoppable throughout the second half, putting on an excellent performance with many vital great saves.
Unbelievable save by De Gea. I know I'm right when I say he is top class. You wait to see how good he is in 5 years.
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) February 13, 2013
Inside the last 10 minutes, it was tense, and Manchester United looked like they were heading for a big result, a draw away at Madrid, and an away goal to take with it. As each team traded in attacks, things got nail-biting. The pace increased further in stoppage time, with Real Madrid offense, and Ronaldo came close to a shot at goal via a Modric cross, but Phil Jones did a great job to restrict Ronaldo, Jones did well throughout the game to stop Ronaldo, fine job.
Van Persie got a shot at goal following the rebound of his free kick, but a good save by Diego Lopez put it out for a corner, but there was no time to take it, and the final whistle blew.
FT: Real Madrid 1 - 1 Manchester United
An entertaining well-contested game. Good performance by De Gea and Phil Jones for restricting Madrid, while Ronaldo did well too, but not enough to secure the game. This leaves the expectation of even more to come in three weeks, when the final leg takes place at Old Trafford, with Manchester United with an away goal advantage too, things are going to be intense there. Real Madrid had many chances at goal, but could not capitalize, could this cost them in the second leg? Find out in three weeks, it is going to be BIGGER! The wait WAS over, now we wait again, three weeks, and these teams collide yet again at Old Trafford, all to play for...Thank you for reading this article. Follow my Tweets - @iNisarKhan, and keep checking my site for more updates and coverage of a variety of things.
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