Champions League Europe — 14 February 2013

Cristiano came back to haunt his old sideRonaldoThe first legs of last night’s Champions League knockout ties turned out to be entertaining affairs. In Madrid Real and Manchester United drew 1-1, while in Donetsk Shakhtar and Dortmund drew 2-2.

Spanish giants Real Madrid’s clash with Manchester United was billed as the tie of the round and it didn’t disappoint.

Real started the brighter and David de Gea tipped an early Fabio Coentrao effort onto the post, but it was the visitors that took the lead on 20 minutes.

Wayne Rooney’s corner kick was headed home by striker Danny Welbeck. It didn’t take Real long to reply in what was a surprisingly open game, as the home struck back on 30 minutes. Winger Angel di Maria swung in a cross and former-United star Cristiano Ronaldo bulleted a header past De Gea, after hanging in the air for what seemed like an age.

Both teams had further chances but De Gea and Diego Lopez in the Real goal were not to be beaten again. The draw sets the tie up nicely for the return leg in Manchester.

The other game of the night in the Champions League also produced a draw, as Shakhtar and Dortmund drew 2-2 at the Donbass Arena. The home side took the lead on 31 minutes, Darijo Srna curling home a superb free-kick.

Dortmund equalised on 41 minutes, Robert Lewandowski beating the Shakhtar defence before firing home. The home restablished their lead on 68 minutes though, as Mats Hummels made a mistake to give Douglas Costa the chance to send a fantastic strike past Roman Weidenfeller in the Dortmund goal.

Centre-back Hummels made up for his early error by heading home from a Marcel Schmelzer set-piece to give the German champions a draw. Shakhtar may rue this opportunity, as the two away goals put the German champions in pole position to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Who will go through to the Champions League quarter-finals?

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David Nugent

David is a 29 year-old football fan and journalist, who is passionate about the beautiful game. He is a lifelong supporter of Premier League Everton and likes nothing better than a healthy discussion about the world's favourite sport.

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