Tag: Atletico Madrid

Atletico, United, Benfica and Ajax Held

It was a pulsating night of Champion’s League football as Atletico, United, Benfica and Ajax were held in the first leg of their last 16 match. What a night! What a game! Amazing couple of games they were. Evenly matched were the teams. It served for a thrilling couple of games. And it’s anyone’s guess as to who is making it to the quarter final as Atletico, United, Benfica and Ajax were all held to draws. All level!

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Like we anticipated, United were seeking to emulate the three other English sides left in the Champions League by securing a first-leg lead in the first knockout round. And interim coach Ralf Rangnick said on the eve of the trip to Madrid that he was prioritising this competition. Strong words. However, his side fell behind to a beautiful goal by Joao Felix within seven minutes of kick-off in Spain.

Having cleared the initial corner, Atleti left-back Renan Lodi swung in a cross from the left that Joao Felix raced past Harry Maguire to greet with a stunning header that went in off the near post. Indeed, it was stunning. United’s goalie was rooted to a spot. Subsequently, teenage sensation Anthony Elanga came to Manchester United’s rescue. Firstly, he latched onto Bruno Fernandes’ pass. Secondly, he reversed his shot across Jan Oblak into the bottom corner. Wheeling away, jubilant scenes followed.

That goal claimed an unlikely 1-1 draw for Manchester United at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in the Spanish capital. All square. Half time. Game on!

Benfica vs Ajax

Meanwhile, in the midst of the Ukraine-Russia saga, Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk saved Benfica after Ajax’s Sebastien Haller scores at both ends. As a result, it’s still all to play for. Not only did the free scoring Haller take his tally in this season’s competition to 11 goals in seven games, he also contributed an own goal in a pulsating clash at the Estádio da Luz. Born goal scorer!

Ajax were ahead after 18 minutes through their captain, Dusan Tadic, but an unfortunate own goal from Haller levelled matters seven minutes later. Not for long though. Haller made amends in the 29th minute. Benfica would level matters again though. A second-half header from substitute Roman Yaremchuk ensured a draw for the hosts and a boost to their hopes in the second leg next month. It’s still all to play for at the Amsterdam Arena on 15 March.

The last 16 first leg of matches are complete. Some teams have one foot in the Quarter final already, others still have it all to play for. You won’t have to wait too long however. Just make your Cable TV payments, pay electricity bills, buy airtime and data easily with VTpass now so you don’t miss out on any of the beautiful action when it resumes on Tuesday, March 8.

Chelsea Win, Juventus Held

It was matchday 3 in the Champion’s League round of 16 and we saw Chelsea win as Juventus were held. The Champion’s League has been kind to English clubs this season as all 3 who have played have recorded wins. And if Manchester United win on Wednesday, all 4 would have recorded wins. Incredible! English clubs seem to be coming into their own in this competition.

You would recall we had an all-English final last season. Could we be looking at another? Too early to call I presume. Well, this season’s Champion’s League has not failed us yet. And on matchday 3, we saw Chelsea win and Juventus held as they both played their first leg matches.

Chelsea vs Lille

Chelsea seized control of their Champions League last-16 tie with Lille, putting in a no-nonsense display as goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic secured a 2-0 win in the first leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Havertz had already missed two good chances by the time he rose to meet Hakim Ziyech’s corner unmarked to put the newly crowned World Champions in front after eight minutes. And although Lille, who were making it to the last 16 for the first time in 15 years, were impressive, Chelsea extended their advantage when Pulisic ran onto N’Golo Kante’s pass to beat Leo Jardim in the 63rd minute. Consequently, Chelsea can now head to France in 3 weeks feeling like they have one foot in the Quarter Final already.

Villareal vs Juventus

Free-scoring Dusan Vlahovic scored inside the first minute of his Champions League debut for Juventus. Insane, right? Vlahovic made his European bow for Juve after his £66.6 million January move from Fiorentina and needed just 33 seconds to put the visitors ahead in Spain. It’s the second-fastest goal ever for a Champions League debutant.

With clear cut chances few and far between, Dani Parejo earned a 1-1 draw for Villarreal in the first leg of their last-16 clash. Subsequently, Villareal looked more likely to score. They grew in confidence. Probed and probed the Juve defence. But there was to be no other breakthrough. The tie ended 1-1, leaving things finely poised for the second leg in Turin in three weeks time.

So, on matchday 3, Chelsea win and Juventus are held. The Champions League continues today, with Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Ajax all in action. That’s where we come in. Make your Cable TV payments, pay electricity bills, buy airtime and data easily with VTpass so you don’t miss out on any of the beautiful action.