Cristiano Ronaldo showed he was equal to
the biggest of occasions with a superb
header for Real Madrid against former club
Manchester United as their Champions
League last-16 first-leg showdown ended
1-1 on Wednesday.
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Watched by millions around the world, the hotly-
anticipated clash at the Bernabeu was Portuguese
Ronaldo's first game against the club where he made
his name before joining Real for a world-record fee in
2009.
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It also renewed the rivalry between Real coach Jose
Mourinho and his United counterpart Alex Ferguson
as the La Liga champions seek the 10th European
title that has eluded them since 2002 and the
Premier League leaders chase a fourth triumph in
Europe's elite club competition.
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United withstood an early Real onslaught and drew
first blood against the run of play in the 20th minute
when Danny Welbeck nodded past Diego Lopez from
a Wayne Rooney corner.
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Ronaldo levelled 10 minutes later when he towered
above Patrice Evra to send an Angel Di Maria centre
arrowing into the corner.
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The result gave United a slight advantage for the
return leg in Manchester on March 5, although both
sides will regret squandering chances in the second
half that could have eased their passage to the last
eight.
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Mourinho said he was confident his side could score
more than one goal at Old Trafford next month.
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"It's true they had two big chances in the second half
but it was out of context because we were chasing
the game and they were defending and waiting," the
former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager told a news
conference.
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"Basically, what I thought, everything's open, very
open for the second leg. I think this will go to the last
minute."
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Ronaldo, top scorer in this season's Champions
League with seven goals in seven appearances,
barely celebrated his goal and spoke of the debt he
owes United, where he was transformed from an
inexperienced and fragile teenager into one of the
world's most formidable forwards.
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"It's a place where I played for six years and I have a
lot of affection for the club as everyone knows,"
Ronaldo told Spanish television broadcaster Canal
Plus.
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"United are very strong in defence and they created
some problems for us. But with the chances we had,
we could have scored more goals," the 28-year-old
added.
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"Everything's open for the game at Old Trafford and I
think we have the ability to score goals there and get
through."
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The two clubs were paired in Europe for the first time
in almost a decade and as well as 2008 world player
of the year Ronaldo the match showcased some of
the game's top performers like United forwards Robin
van Persie and Wayne Rooney and Real playmaker
Mesut Ozil.
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Real attacked the visitors' goal from the start, United
goalkeeper David De Gea tipping a Fabio Coentrao
effort on to a post in the sixth minute as a ragged
United struggled to retain possession.
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They had yet to have an attempt on goal when
Welbeck spun away from Sergio Ramos and nodded
inside the post for only his second goal in 28
matches.
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Ronaldo, given a rousing ovation from both sets of
fans before kickoff, went close following up on his
own free kick before his equaliser sent the home fans
into raptures.
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The Real faithful are hungry for Champions League
success as the team's bid for a second straight La
Liga title has floundered and they are stuck down in
third 16 points behind leaders and arch-rivals
Barcelona.
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Real were far more threatening going forward but
nearly conceded a second in the 34th minute when
Welbeck came close to poking a Van Persie centre
past Diego Lopez.