Wednesday night brought us one of the most thrilling Champions League encounters this season, when Real Madrid hosted Manchester United at the Santiago Bernabeu. Things were set for an electrifying affair, with the main subject of discussion being Cristiano Ronaldos game against his old club – and it would also be the Portuguese who stole the show.

Already before the first game in the 1/8 finals between Los Blancos and The Red Devils, the newspapers and other media outlets around the world, had been gearing up to a game, which looked finely poised to be a hectic showdown; with Ronaldo, Di Maria and Ramos standing face to face with Van Persie, Rooney and Welbeck. It would be Ronaldo who took his spot in the limelight – but he was forced to share it with both Danny Welbeck and David De Gea.

David De Gea was immediately tested and only just got his fingertips to a strike from Coentrao, which afterwards struck the post and bobbled back into play. It was however United, who went in front, when Danny Welbeck rose above everyone else on a corner and headed the Mancunians into an, at the time, slightly unjustified lead.

Real Madrid retribution was however swift and just nine minutes later they equalised with a stunning header – and who else could it be but Cristiano Ronaldo? The Portuguese leaped into the air and in a show of almost superhuman athleticism, he ascended several feet into the air, leaving Patrice Evra flat footed on the ground. There he hung in what seemed like forever, before he unleashed an unstoppable header into the net behind David De Gea, who could do nothing, but stand and stare.

Ronaldo had before the game proclaimed, that he would not celebrate in the likely event of him scoring and paid his old club and fans the promised respect, with a subdued celebration and two finger kisses toward the travelling Englishmen – and you would think, that even this goal, did nothing to tarnish CR7 esteemed reputation in Manchester.

The second half brought massive chances from both teams; Robin van Persie missed two absolute sitters, while David De Gea definitely earned his pay in the other end. He kept Real at bay, sometimes in less than orthodox ways. When the referee blew the final whistle – in the middle of a Manchester United-corner – Ronaldo and Ferguson could greet each other as old friends.

All things point to an equally fiery and impassioned showdown, when the two teams meet again in Manchester for the return leg and there is still no telling which way the tie will swing. Who do you think will emerge victorious – and will Ronaldo again be the hero for Real Madrid? Share your thoughts down below.