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A highly questionable red card given to Manchester United's Nani
in the 56th minute for all intents and purposes ended the Red Devils'
Champions League run. Real Madrid will advance to the quarterfinals
after a 2-1 win on Tuesday gave them a 3-2 win in aggregate.
At the time of the red card, Manchester United led Real Madrid 1-0 while playing at Old Trafford in the second leg of their final-16 Champions League match.
This gave them a 2-1 lead in aggregate, and cast them in a favorable position.
Then, Nani drew the card after contesting a high ball with Alvaro Arbeloa. There was slight contact, but a red card was a gross overreaction. The crowd instantly went nuts, and the card was baffling enough that it even drew Sir Alex Ferguson out of his dugout.
In the 66th minute, Modric drilled a beautiful bender from 25 yards out to glance off the post and in for goal.
Modric then came up big as he made a nice center pass to break down the defense and led to Gonzalo Higuain sending a cross to the sliding Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted the goal.
This gave Real a 2-1 lead, and it meant that Manchester United were going to have to score at least two goals to advance. Down a man, that was way too much to ask.
It is too bad that this match will largely be remembered for the red card. It was an entertaining and well-played affair, and it was interesting before it even started. In a shocking move, Sir Alex Ferguson kept Wayne Rooney out of the starting lineup.
Rooney entered in the second half, and narrowly missed a chance on goal in the 84th minute, but at that point, this one was all but over.
Prior to the red card, the move was working out well for Ferguson. Knowing that if they shut out Real they would advance, Manchester United played a nice defensive first half as the two entered halftime scoreless.
In that half, Manchester United were getting the better chances and looked like the more aggressive team. It's all for naught, though—their Champions League campaign is over.
Player Grades
Robin van Persie: C
Robin van Persie was active, but he just wasn't very
effective. He botched a relatively easy chance in the second half and
couldn't make anything happen.
David de Gea: B+
Real Madrid's two goals were not David de Gea's fault.
He was well positioned in this match, and he made several nice saves on the day.
Cristiano Ronaldo: A-
Ronaldo just keeps piling goals in big moments, and
this match was no different. His sense of timing was on full display as
he slid in to deliver the cross for the goal that essentially ended this
match.
Ronaldo was active all game. While he had a quiet first half, he helped keep the pressure on Manchester United in the second.
At the time of the red card, Manchester United led Real Madrid 1-0 while playing at Old Trafford in the second leg of their final-16 Champions League match.
This gave them a 2-1 lead in aggregate, and cast them in a favorable position.
Then, Nani drew the card after contesting a high ball with Alvaro Arbeloa. There was slight contact, but a red card was a gross overreaction. The crowd instantly went nuts, and the card was baffling enough that it even drew Sir Alex Ferguson out of his dugout.
Jasper Juinen/Getty Images
Trying to capitalize on the man-up advantage, Jose Mourinho sent in the maligned Luka Modric, and it worked. In the 66th minute, Modric drilled a beautiful bender from 25 yards out to glance off the post and in for goal.
Modric then came up big as he made a nice center pass to break down the defense and led to Gonzalo Higuain sending a cross to the sliding Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted the goal.
This gave Real a 2-1 lead, and it meant that Manchester United were going to have to score at least two goals to advance. Down a man, that was way too much to ask.
It is too bad that this match will largely be remembered for the red card. It was an entertaining and well-played affair, and it was interesting before it even started. In a shocking move, Sir Alex Ferguson kept Wayne Rooney out of the starting lineup.
Rooney entered in the second half, and narrowly missed a chance on goal in the 84th minute, but at that point, this one was all but over.
Prior to the red card, the move was working out well for Ferguson. Knowing that if they shut out Real they would advance, Manchester United played a nice defensive first half as the two entered halftime scoreless.
In that half, Manchester United were getting the better chances and looked like the more aggressive team. It's all for naught, though—their Champions League campaign is over.
Player Grades
Robin van Persie: C
David de Gea: B+
Real Madrid's two goals were not David de Gea's fault.
He was well positioned in this match, and he made several nice saves on the day.
Cristiano Ronaldo: A-
Ronaldo was active all game. While he had a quiet first half, he helped keep the pressure on Manchester United in the second.
We did not, I repeat, we DID NOT deserve a victory tonight. Bring on all the hate about the refs being biased because you know what, what we saw tonight was biasness at its finest.
Do not get me wrong I am happy we are in the quarters but we need to be BETTER AS A TEAM in games like this. The ref isn't gonna be there when we face Bayern and Juve. Nani did go in dangerously but that wasn't a red card. Yellow yes. but no red.
Full respect to Manchester united and their fans. You guys played a very well game, you guys definitely deserved to move on.
What I saw today was my team being tactically outplayed. Kaka and Modric was the spark we needed.
Ronaldo does not desere A-. A B-, or a B at most.
Lopez or Vidic is the man of the match for me.
Im not happy. im seriously not happy. I wont celebrate tonight.
Hala Madrid
We had no more consistent attacking flow and madrid had the momentum now. Honestly I think the referee may have been told what to call, i mean just think who could also be on the other end of the headseat he wears. Hell the referee waited 5 minutes to call the red for nani. Absolutely horrid referring today. I don't expect United to get all the calls. But I do expect it to be fair on both sides. I literally saw only two questionable tackles made by United that weren't called. I saw about 6 Real Madrid that I can remember two were in the penalty box.
Oh and also could someone let me know exactly why carrick got a yellow? Khedira hand balls it and Carrick gets a card??? Great refereeing.
Good luck in the next round
HALA MADRID!
We deserve to go through no doubt but it wouldve been fairer if it was a 2-2 draw.
And dude, ive been a madrid since I was born basically.