BECK IN THE GOALS ... Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring for Manchester United in the Bernabeu
Published: 8 minutes ago
DANNY WELBECK bagged in the Bernabeu as Manchester United drew first blood in their Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid.
The England striker nodded home Wayne Rooney’s corner to give Alex Ferguson’s men the lead and a crucial away goal.
Former United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo equalised with a stunning header of his own before the break.
But Red Devils keeper David De Gea was in sensational form to keep the Premier League leaders level.
And despite Robin van Persie missing a golden chance to win it, United will be favourites to reach the quarter-finals when the two titans clash again at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.
SNOOD OPERATOR ... Jose Mourinho wraps up before kick-off
Jose Mourinho's Madrid came out the blocks quicker and Angel Di Maria cut inside from the right and flashed an early 25-yard strike narrowly wide.
They came even closer two minutes later when Fabio Coentrao curled one from the edge of the box which De Gea brillianty got fingertips on to tip on to the post.
THAT'S FAB ... Fabio Coentrao tackles Wayne Rooney
But United then stunned the Bernabeu when they took the lead as Welbeck beat Sergio Ramos in the air to nod home Rooney’s 20th-minute corner.
It was the forward's first goal in 27 games and the first time he has netted away in the Champions League.
ROBIN RELIANT ... Robin van Persie gets past Alvaro Arbeloa
Madrid came back strongly and De Gea was forced to push a Mesut Ozil strike round his post.
Then Ronaldo fired a free-kick into Van Persie in the wall before lashing the rebound just wide with a fierce left-footed drive.
RON IN A MILLION ... Madrid fan displays banner in tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo
And it wasn’t long before the Portuguese superstar got on the scoresheet against his former employers.
Di Maria crossed from the left and Ronaldo got up early above Patrice Evra, hung in the air and planted a fine, precision header into the corner of De Gea’s goal for a crucial leveller after half an hour.
WEL GOOD ... Danny Welbeck nods United into the lead
United thought they were back in front when Welbeck nipped ahead of keeper Diego Lopez to steer Van Persie’s cross inches past the post.
But De Gea was the next stopper to be tested and he got down sharply to beat away Ozil’s shot inside the box.
RON THE MONEY ... Cristiano Ronaldo leaps to head Real Madrid level
Ronaldo then got above Jonny Evans to head another one narrowly wide as a breathless first half came to a close.
The former Red Devils favourite had the first say after the break, firing one straight at De Gea from the edge of the box.
THAT RON'S FOR YOU ... Cristiano Ronaldo salutes the crowd after his goal
And the Spanish keeper had to be alert again with a long-range drive from Di Maria before the Argentine ace fizzed another past the post.
De Gea was keeping United in it and he used his foot to kick away Contreo’s back-post effort after Sami Khedira’s cross from the right.
TOP GEA ... in-form David De Gea looks on at the Bernabeu
At the other end, Van Persie’s drive was palmed on to the cross bar by Diego Lopez.
And the Dutchman really should have scored with just Lopez to beat, but mishit a left-footed volley which gave Alonso chance to run back and clear.
Khedira kept De Gea busy with another low drive straight at the Red Devils No1.
And Ronaldo had the visitors' hearts in their mouths with a dipping free-kick which landed on the roof of the net.
But it was Van Persie who nearly won it at the death with a left-footer across goal which Lopez had to turn away.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4794212/Real-Madrid-1-1-Man-Utd-Match-report-and-pictures.html#ixzz2KonwPSX1
