In losing this quarter-final there was still vindication of
all that Manchester United have stood for down the decades.
In the closing moments, even the Real Madrid players seemed
to believe that Sir Alex Ferguson's side were capable of the
two further goals required.
Despite being 3-1 down from the first leg and behind by the
same margin here, conviction and flair carried United to a 4-
3 victory on their own ground, with David Beckham emerging
to score twice as a substitute. The English club, however,
could never curb Real Madrid and Ronaldo's hat-trick was
decisive.
It is testimony to United's indefatigable nature that they
ended the first-half with a barrage that included an
equaliser. This was a match with no compromises. Ferguson,
did not shirk his duty picking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has
been in telling form, even if Beckham had to be demoted to
the substitutes.
Even with willpower such as his in the ranks, United's
ambitions could not take precedence. Real have too much
skill to be quelled for long and Figo, as if in rebuke to
those who thought his goal at the Bernabeu a fluke, tricked
a defender as he doubled back on the left and aimed for the
far top corner with his right foot, only to hit the bar on
this occasion.
When Ronaldo recorded the second part of his hat-trick,
after 51 minutes, little delicacy was required. Zidane set
Roberto Carlos running free and his careful cut-back was
turned in from close range. United knew then that the tie
was beyond them and Casillas made expert saves before a
Veron drive was turned past him by a deflection off Ivan
Helguera.
The reaction to his substitution reflects gloriously on
United's supporters. They watched a man who had dashed their
dreams yet the crowd rose to surround his exit with a
standing ovation.
This was a night that testified to United powers and, above
all, to the glory of football in its ideal state.
Telegraph:
On an evening of enchanting football at Old Trafford, David
Beckham reminded Sir Alex Ferguson, Real Madrid and the
watching world of his exceptional qualities, making a
complete mockery of Ferguson's horrendous mistake in leaving
him on the bench until midway through the second half when
he charged on and struck twice.
So United won on the night, Real on aggregate but football
overall. A fitting feast for the watching Alfredo Di Stefano
and Sir Bobby Charlton, this was a joyous rollercoaster ride
of a tie, utterly compelling to watch as attacks flowed from
end to end. It was, though, a dispiriting night for Rio
Ferdinand, completely humiliated by Ronaldo, for Fabien
Barthez, alarmingly out of position for Ronaldo's first, and
for Roy Keane, whose sluggish contribution confirmed the
waning of the captain's once dominant powers.
Ronaldo, punished United yesterday and when the European
Footballer of the Year left the field midway through the
second half, his wrecking job accomplished, Real's smiling
assassin received a moving, lengthy ovation from almost
everyone within Old Trafford. Even the Real Madrid directors
shook their head in astonishment at the marvellous tribute
of the United fans.
Indie: