It was always going to be Cristiano Ronaldo. With Atalanta’s depleted squad running on fumes at Old Trafford, Harry Maguire’s 75th-minute equalizer set the stage for the inevitable: Cristiano Ronaldo hanging in the air, posterizing José Luis Palomino and directing a downward header inside the post for the win.
It was Ronaldo’s 300th appearance across all competitions for Manchester United, and he’ll remember it fondly after completing the Red Devils’ improbable second half comeback.
CRISTIANO RONALDO IS INEVITABLE. pic.twitter.com/vDEfDTR8Bq
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 20, 2021
@Cristiano pic.twitter.com/TiWBrOLHCN
— 433 (@433) October 20, 2021
The first half was an entirely different ordeal for Ronaldo and United.
Despite missing the influential quartet of Robin Gosens, Matteo Pessina, Hans Hateboer and Berat Djimsiti and being without a full bench, Atalanta became the first team in Champions League history to put United into a 2-0 halftime hole at Old Trafford.
United’s defense was all over the place on Mario Pasalic’s 15th minute opener with Davide Zappacosta providing the service.
ATALANTA STRIKE FIRST AGAINST UNITED pic.twitter.com/K1nMABxH0I
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 20, 2021
In the 29th, Merih Demiral made it 2-0 after shoving Scott McTominay out of the way and turning Harry Maguire into a meme.
29': MANCHESTER UNITED 0-2 ATALANTA
WHAT A TIME FOR MERIH DEMIRAL TO SCORE HIS FIRST EUROPEAN GOAL pic.twitter.com/bb1nHWeNRk— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 20, 2021
— unfortunate football moments (@unluckyfootie) October 20, 2021
But Atalanta’s swashbuckling approach always yields chances going the other way, and Ole Gunnar Solskjær could take heart from the creation of three different one-on-ones with keeper Juan Musso (Marcus Rashford last-ditch tackled, Rashford off the crossbar, Ronaldo straight at the keeper) and one clear opportunity for Fred.
Eight minutes after the restart, the Red Devils pulled one back after a costly turnover in midfield allowed Bruno Fernandes to instantly release Rashford for the cool finish.
WHAT A BALL. WHAT A FINISH. DR MARCUS RASHFORD MBE. pic.twitter.com/ehVldAOoBN
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 20, 2021
Atalanta kept pushing forward despite being drawn into three tactical fouls and three bookings in the space of two minutes, but United got its equalizer in the 75th thanks to a clean strike from Maguire after Edinson Cavani had flicked the ball on.
YOU’RE A WIZARD, HARRY.
MAN UTD’S CAPTAIN SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL SINCE JANUARY AND WHAT A TIME TO SCORE IT.GAME ON. pic.twitter.com/B3T09IxK5g
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 20, 2021
Still, Atalanta created another good opportunity while United looked for its own winner — in total, the match featured 35 shots between the two sides (15 on target). It was all good fun, but Ronaldo made sure that the lasting joy belonged to United.
Cristiano was HYPED pic.twitter.com/EhZQRviDZl
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 20, 2021
Everyone is alive and well in Group F.
This group is keeping us young ... boys.
