Cristiano Ronaldo denied former club Manchester United victory at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League last sixteen tie.
Danny Welbeck gave the visitors the lead with a header from Wayne Rooney’s corner on twenty minutes, but Ronaldo responded ten minutes later before celebrating with a degree of respect to his former employers.
The game lived up to expectation, with both sides creating a host of chances, with the majority falling to Real’s top scorer, who was largely kept at bay thanks to an impressive performance from David De Gea in the United goal.
It was the Spaniard’s first appearance in Madrid since leaving Real’s rivals Atletico in 2011.
The hosts had a total of 29 shots on goal but could not take any further advantage ahead of the return leg in three weeks’ time.
Robin Van Perise had a good opportunity to clinch the victory at the death, but his effort was turned around the post by Diego Lopez.
United now have five days before their next match, when they will host Reading in the fifth round of the FA Cup in a bid to get another step closer to a repeat of 1999’s remarkable treble.