Anthony Elanga Steps Up To European Stage With One Touch

Anthony Elanga scored an 80th-minute equalizer in the ever important UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, with his very first touch of the ball.

The evening seemed complicated for Manchester United, who were behind and hardly succeeded in any of their actions, and so, Elanga came into the picture.

Five minutes after entering the game, Anthony Elanga wowed everyone in flash.

Manchester United had done everything in their power to force a result. But individual errors, and mistakes from several players did not help them.

Atletico Madrid quietly managed the score, and made sure they applied high pressing and severe counter-pressing on their opponents, as they were quietly heading towards an almost certain defeat in the Champions League. Ralf Rangnick’s players had created next to nothing, although they were slightly better in the second half after a terrible first half where João Félix’s sumptuous diving header had been reward for Atlético.

Elanga started warming up before half-time and then around the 60th minute. Manager Rangnick brought in 19-year-old winger Anthony Elanga in the 75th minute and, on his first touch of the ball, he scored the goal that tipped the round of 16, restoring hope to his team. After having managed a good pressing in Atleti’s half of the field, Bruno Fernandes received the ball, accelerated and launched Elanga who had accelerated in depth.

Reinildo Mandava, the central defender of Atlético, was surprised by the acceleration of the 19-year-old Cameroonian, and stretched to intercept the ball, but realized that Anthony Elanga was already far away. In a closed angle, he found the net, in the opposite corner, beating the excellent Jan Oblak. After Premier League goals at Brentford and Leeds, Anthony Elanga has chosen his moment to step up to Europe’s highest stage.

He is writing his story, living a real fairy tale in a team full of stars, like; Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandès, Paul Pogba, Rashford. The two teams separate on the parity score of 1 goal everywhere. United will receive Atleti at Old Trafford in a fortnight.