Man United vs Real Madrid 2003: A Champions League Classic
A Match for the Ages
On April 23, 2003, Manchester United and Real Madrid squared off in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at Old Trafford. The match would go down in history as one of the greatest Champions League matches of all time, filled with drama, excitement, and plenty of goals.
The First Leg
The first leg of the tie had been played in Madrid a week earlier, with Real Madrid winning 3-1. However, United had a good chance of overturning the deficit, especially with the home crowd behind them.
The Match
The match started at a frantic pace, with both teams attacking from the off. United took the lead in the 43rd minute through Ruud van Nistelrooy, but Real Madrid equalized just before half-time through Ivan Helguera.
The second half was even more explosive. United went ahead again in the 52nd minute through an own goal by David Beckham, but Real Madrid came back once more to equalize through Ronaldo in the 59th minute.
The match seemed to be heading for extra time, but United had other ideas. In the 82nd minute, Paul Scholes scored a stunning goal to give United the lead again. And just two minutes later, Ruud van Nistelrooy sealed the victory with his second goal of the match.
The Result
The final score was 4-3 to Manchester United, but it was not enough to overturn the first-leg deficit. Real Madrid advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-5 aggregate victory.
The Legacy
The match between Manchester United and Real Madrid in 2003 is still remembered as one of the greatest Champions League matches of all time. It was a match that had everything: drama, excitement, and plenty of goals. It is a match that will live long in the memory of fans of both teams.
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