Cristiano Ronaldo canceled out Josep Ilicic's opener before Duvan Zapata restored the lead for Atalanta and then Ronaldo scored a stoppage time equalizer to share points.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace to rescue a point for Manchester United against Atalanta in the Champions League group stage fixture on Tuesday. In Bergamo, the hosts took an early lead through Josip Ilicic before Ronaldo leveled the score on the stroke of half time. Although Duvan Zapata regained the lead in the second half, Ronaldo scored a stoppage time equalizer to help United to stay on top of Group F. Elsewhere, Villarreal beat Young Boys 2-0 courtesy of goals from Etienne Capoue and Arnaut Danjuma.
Manchester United’s form off late has been hoe and cold, after losing 5-0 to Liverpool on October 24 the Red Devils thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 on Sunday, therefore there was an extra intrigue about how United would fare in Italy. Early signs were good as Scott McTominay’s deflected shot from outside the box rebounded off the woodwork. However the hosts took the lead deservingly on 12 minutes. Zapata on the left flank after checking back away from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, squared the ball to Ilicic to slot in from inside the area.
Meanwhile United were dealt a blow as central defender Raphael Varane was forced off because of a hamstring injury. On the half-hour-mark, Paul Pogba lost the ball near his own box and the ball fell to Zapata inside the area but Eric Bailly made a desperate last-ditch clearance to see off the threat.
With half-time approaching, a brilliant move involving three of United’s forwards leveled the score. Mason Greenwood played a through ball to find Bruno Fernandes’ run inside the box, whose back-heel setup Ronaldo to level things up.
The home side restored the lead on 56 minutes. Jose Palomino’s overhead ball from the back released Zapata through on goal and the Colombian striker beat De Gea from 12 yards. Although the offside flag was raised immediately, VAR review which lasted two minutes adjudged he had been played onside by Harry Maguire.
After the second goal, Atalanta looked to see out victory and reverted to a defensive setup. United failed to test home goalkeeper Juan Musso in the final half-hour of the game until Ronaldo scored a sensational equalizer. Greenwood lifted the ball onto the path of the Portuguese legend, who fired the ball in with a precise volley from just outside the box.
After the draw, Atalanta are placed third in the group with 5 points from 4 games.
In the other match of Group F, Villarreal welcomed Young Boys to La Ceramia.
Capue fired the host ahead in the 36th minute, his first ever Champions League goal at 33 years of age. Capou then turned creator as he set up Arnaut Danjuma to double the lead in the 89th minute and seal three points.
The win helped Villarreal to 7 points from 4 games, level on points with leaders Manchester united. Whereas Young Boys are placed at the bottom with only 3 points.
