Atletico Madrid booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the second leg of their last-16 tie at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The teams fought to a 1-1 stalemate in Madrid three weeks earlier, leaving all to play for in Tuesday's contest. Unsurprisingly, it was another hard-fought, low-scoring affair as the sides appeared evenly matched throughout — leaving the game to be decided by a late first-half goal from Renan Lodi.
Lodi's winner came at the tail end of a back-and-forth first half in which both goalkeepers made a number of fine saves. Unfortunately for United 'keeper David de Gea, he couldn't stop Lodi's 41st-minute header as the 23-year-old finished off a nice bit of play from teammates Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann. It was Felix who penetrated the United penalty area before backheeling to Griezmann, who then placed an inch-perfect cross to the back post for Lodi to nod home from in close.
That set up a second half in which Atletico defended valiantly, frustrating the Red Devils over the entire course of the 45 minutes and stoppage time. Even with United dominating possession and throwing everything toward Jan Oblak's goal, only a 77th-minute Raphaël Varane effort did enough to really trouble the Atletico goalkeeper.
Ultimately, the Spanish side were able to weather the storm from the hosts with their trademark steadfast style, ousting the three-time winners of the competition and advancing to the quarterfinals.