UEFA champions league Classic Famous Night: United Vs Madrid

PSX_20200409_131214.jpg

Ten years ago United faced Madrid in one of the greatest matches and famous night to remember in European cup history.

images-40.jpeg

On April 23, 2003, which was the last time Galacticos club visited Old Trafford United defeated Madrid 4-3 but were still knocked out of champions league quarter final with aggregate of 5-6. One of the greatest encounter which were assumed to motivate Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich to purchased Chelsea.

April 8, 2003. A summer signing from Inter Milan, Ronaldo was on song everywhere in Bernabeu but it was his strike partner Raúl who did the damage in the quarter-final first leg against United, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory with Ruud Vann Nistelrooy grabbed away goal for Red Devils . However, Raúl was ruled out of the second leg with appendicitis.

April 23, 2003 - Old Trafford

Champions League Quarter-final, second leg

Manchester United: Barthez, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre (Phil Neville 79), Veron (Beckham 63), Butt, Keane (Fortune 82), van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Solskjaer

Substitutes : Ricardo, Blanc, Forlan, Fletcher

Scorers: Van Nistelrooy 42, Helguera (og) 52, Beckham 72, 79

Yellow cards: Veron, Fortune

images-39.jpeg

Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Zidane, McManaman (Portillo 69), Luis Figo (Pavon 88), Makelele, Ronaldo (Solari 67), Gutieal

images-41.jpeg

Van Nistelrooy went close early as the home crowd roared United on, but Ronaldo beat Fabien Barthez to give the visitors the lead – and a crucial away goal – on 12 minutes. Van Nistelrooy replied just before half-time, but the Red Devils were undone early in the second period as Ronaldo made it 2-1,

images-40.jpeg
Ronaldo the superhero scored hat-trick

It was 2-2 almost immediately, Iván Helguera diverting a Juan Sebastian Verón shot into his own net, yet Ronaldo swiftly completed his hat-trick with a fierce effort from the edge of the box, putting United 6-3 behind on aggregate. However, Beckham came off the bench, scoring a typically smart free-kick to make it 6-5 overall. The match was concluded.

images-42.jpeg
Magical Free-kick by David Beckham

After the match, Ferguson said, "What a game – Ronaldo was marvellous. His third goal was a tremendous strike and you can't legislate for someone who produces moments like that."

Ronaldo said, "it was a great night I will never forget."