RENAN LODI'S HEADER SEES MAN UNITED CRASH OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Diego Simeone’s side progress to the quarter finals of the Champions League after a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United. Renan Lodi’s winner made the final score 2-1 on aggregate.

Manchester United secure a 5th consecutive trophy-less season after Atletico Madrid beat them 0-1 (1-2) in the Champions League round of 16. Joao Felix scored around the half hour mark to give Atletico the advantage, with Llorente cutting it back for Felix to put into an empty goal. Unfortunately, their celebrations came to a close fairly quickly as Llorente made his run too early and found himself offside.

Just before the half time whistle blew, Atletico Madrid broke the deadlock. Joao Felix released Griezmann with a flair pass, who subsequently whipped the ball towards the back post. Renan Lodi was unmarked and allowed to place his downwards header into the back of the net. There was some controversy surrounding the goal due to a foul on Anthony Elanga during the build-up, however the goal stood. This goal eventually determined the tie, sending Atletico Madrid through to the quarter finals.

Oblak denies Elanga

Man United had the opportunity to gain an advantage within the first 15 minutes of their home tie. Bruno Fernandes crosses the ball towards the near post from the right-hand side. The cross reached Anthony Elanga, whose outstretched his leg to get enough on the ball to allow a proper shot at goal.

Oblak made him big and somehow managed to stop the Swede breaking the deadlock. The Atletico keeper knew nothing about the save as he stopped it with his head from close range.

Offside flag saves Man United

Koke came bursting forward through the midfield before threading through Llorente. The Spaniard cut the ball back form the right flank, where Joao Felix was waiting in the 6-yard box.

The young striker was left all alone in front of goal and easily put the ball in the back of the open net. The celebrations were immediately cut short and Marcos Llorente was found in an offside position prior to squaring the ball to Joao Felix.

Atletico take the lead

Joao Felix drove into the box before backheeling the ball to Griezmann. The Frenchman dinked the ball into the back post where Renan Lodi waited unmarked.

Lodi planted the downwards header into the back of the net to break the deadlock. A poor defensive show from the home side as Dalot was left to mark three players in the 18-yard box. The goal gave Atletico the lead on the night and on aggregate.

United players were infuriated as they felt that their teammate Anthony Elanga was fouled in the build up to the goal. Despite this, referee Slavko Vincic didn't see an issue with the challenge; the goal stood, 1-0 Atletico.

Bruno Fernandes almost equalises

In the final moments of the first 45 minutes, Jan Oblak was called to action once more. Bruno Fernandes tried his luck from just outside the box; his swerving strike wrong foots Oblak.

However, Atletico hold onto the lead as the Slovenian was able to get back across his goal to force the ball wide for a corner kick.

Sancho's volley whistles wide

On the hour mark, Jadon Sancho comes close to making the score level. The Red Devils worked the ball around nicely, finding Diogo Dalot out on the right wing. The Man United man whipped the ball into the box, where Sancho opted to take on the volley.

His shot rifled over the bar; however, he wasn't too far away, especially considering the technique of the strike. It would have been a spectacular finish had it come off; the advantage remained with Atletico.

Ronaldo's acrobatic attempt doesn't come off

Time was running out for Man United - nothing was going in their favour. The final opportunity of the game can when a free kick was won in an exciting area. Alex Telles whipped the ball into the box, finding Varane who rose highest.

The world cup winner's glancing header towards the far post was palmed away again by an unbeatable Jan Oblak! The ball came back out to Cristiano Ronaldo who went for an overhead kick, however Oblak held onto the optimistic effort.

Colchoneros are through to the next round

After holding onto a narrow one goal advantage for 57 minutes, Atletico Madrid got over the line to secure a place in the quarter finals, whilst Manchester United crashed out the competition.

Renan Lodi's goal was all that separated the two sides, a goal that could have been easily prevented by better transitional play from United. Arguably though, the goal shouldn't have stood; some fans will believe Anthony Elanga was brought down unfairly in the build up to the goal. Despite this Slavko Vincic saw nothing wrong with the challenge.

It rained down on Diego Simeone when the final whistle blew as Man United fans pelted various objects at the Atletico manager. The Argentine wouldn't have cared though as he has led his side to the next round of the Champions League. The ecstatic travelling fans celebrated with the players and the end of the fixture, they will find out their next opponents on Friday March 18th at 11am (GMT).

What’s Next?

Next math report = Portugal vs Turkey

Thursday 24th March 19:45

Line-ups:

Manchester United – (4-2-3-1) De Gea, Telles, Maguire (Mata 84’), Varane, Dalot, Fred (Cavani 75’), McTominay (Matic 67’), Sancho, Fernandes (Pogba 67’), Elanga (Rashford 67’), Ronaldo

Bookings – Matic (81’), Dalot (87’)

Scorers – N/A

Atletico Madrid – (3-1-4-2) Oblak, Reinildo, Gimenez, Savic, Renan Lodi, De Paul, Koke (Konodogbia 80’), Llorente, Felix (Felipe 90’), Griezmann (Correa 90+3’)

Bookings – de Paul (43’), Herrera (81’)

Scorers – Renan Lodi (41’)

Referee: Slavko Vincic

Attendance: 73,008

MOTM: Renan Lodi

Written by Isabelle Newnham