Cristiano Ronaldo saves Manchester United in the Champions League with dramatic late goal

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:02 am

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice, including a stoppage-time equaliser, as Manchester United came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw away to Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Atalanta took a 12th-minute lead when Duvan Zapata cut in from the left and fed Josip Ilicic whose low drive crept under the body of United keeper David de Gea.

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United, forced to reorganise after defender Raphael Varane went off injured, drew level with a superbly worked goal on the stroke of half-time -- Ronaldo firing home after a flowing exchange of passes including a backheel from Bruno Fernandes.

Atalanta restored their advantage in the 56th minute when Zapata broke past Harry Maguire, burst into the box and beat De Gea. The linesman's flag was raised for offside but after a lengthy VAR review the decision was overturned and the Italian side had the lead.

But Ronaldo pounded on a loose ball on the edge of the box in stoppage time and blasted home a volley to earn a precious point for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.