Former United hero Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Real Madrid knocked out a Manchester United side controversially reduced to 10 men in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ronaldo secured a 2-1 win for Real and a 3-2 aggregate success after the match completely changed when United winger Nani was sent off for a clumsy, but not deliberate, high challenge on Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa in the 56th minute.
The red card came as a total surprise and was the start of a terrible 13-minute spell that doomed the home side to defeat as Real, trailing 1-0, struck twice in three minutes through Luka Modric and Ronaldo to seal a place in the last eight.Substitute Modric, only been on the field for seven minutes, lashed in Real’s equaliser from 20 meters after 66 minutes and Ronaldo slid in at the far post three minutes later to turn in a cross from Gonzalo Higuain.
Eye on ball?
Nani certainly had his foot high as he challenged for the ball with Arbeloa, but did not see the Spaniard behind him and had his eye on the ball throughout the incident. Ferguson raced down from his seat to remonstrate on the touchline with the officials and went storming down to the pitch after the match ended.
United players surrounded the referee at the end with Rio Ferdinand sarcastically clapping in his face, and although the decision badly affected United, at that stage, they were still leading. Mourinho quickly changed the shape of his side, introducing Modric who had a huge influence, while Ferguson, did not bring on Rooney until 17 minutes from the end when United were 2-1 down.
{{/usCountry}}United players surrounded the referee at the end with Rio Ferdinand sarcastically clapping in his face, and although the decision badly affected United, at that stage, they were still leading. Mourinho quickly changed the shape of his side, introducing Modric who had a huge influence, while Ferguson, did not bring on Rooney until 17 minutes from the end when United were 2-1 down.
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