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On Tuesday evening, the whole world stopped and watched the UEFA Champions League second leg match between the teams of "Manchester United" and Madrid's "Real" at Old Trafford stadium, which can be divided into two parts - before and after a controversial referee decision. The result was 2-1 in favor of the Spanish club, securing their spot in the next stage.
It should be noted that the first clash of these football giants ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the first half, the ball was controlled more by the visitors, but the "Red Devils" had the game in their hands and missed two great chances to advance - in the 21st minute after a corner, Nemanja Vidic's shot hit the post, and 12 minutes later Diego Lopez, who replaced the injured Iker Casillas, saved attempts from both Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck.
The second half started off in favor of the unfortunate Sergio Ramos, who scored an own goal.
The crucial moment of the match came in the 56th minute, when Nani carelessly "entered" Alvaro Arbeloa's ribs with an open leg, and the referee showed a red card much to the amazement of many and the anger of Sir Alex Ferguson, who was trying to play down the injury to the winger.
Playing with a numerical disadvantage, the hosts closed up in the penalty area, while "Real" launched dangerous attacks. One of them could not be stopped by David de Gea - an impressive shot from Luka Modric in the 66th minute just outside the penalty area left no chance for the goalkeeper.
Shortly after, within three minutes of a great combination involving Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain, the latter made a sharp pass, which was 'closed' by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored against his former club - making it 2-1.
For the remaining time, the "royal" club's counterattacks did not reach their target, and Ferguson's hopes that the players stepping onto the field after substitutions would change something were shattered by the fantastic performance of "Real" goalkeeper Lopez.
Jose Mourinho left the Old Trafford stadium without much emotion, while Ferguson was left to grumble at the Turkish referee.
In the other encounter, following a 2-2 draw in Ukraine, Dortmund's "Borussia" defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 in front of their own fans and also advanced to the prestigious Champions League quarterfinals.
Results: (highlighted team advanced to the next stage)
"Man Utd" 1 - 2 Madrid's "Real" (first leg 1 - 1, aggregate 2 - 3) 48' [1 - 0] S. Ramos (own goal) 66' [1 - 1] L. Modric 69' [1 - 2] C. Ronaldo 56' Nani sent off from the field ("Man Utd")
Dortmund's "Borussia" 3 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk (first leg 2 - 2, aggregate 5 - 2) 31' [1 - 0] S.F. Augusto 37' [2 - 0] M. Gotze 59' [3 - 0] J. Blaszczykowski
