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Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Back Champions League Record A Day After After Lionel Messi Equalled It

Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Back Champions League Record A Day After After Lionel Messi Equalled It

The Manchester United forward's match-winner was significant in more ways than one.

Tom Fenton

Tom Fenton

Lionel Messi managed to wrestle a Champions League record away from Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday night - but it wasn't his for very long.

The legendary duo share just about every goalscoring record there is to win in European football, while also winning a combined 11 Ballon d'Or awards over the past 15 years.

The next frontline in the numbers battle between the pair concerns Champions League goals - specifically goals scored against differing opposition.

After a brace for PSG against RB Leipzig in Tuesday night's 3-2 win, Lionel Messi scored against his 38th different opposition in the competition, pulling him level with Ronaldo.

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PA

However, not one to be outdone by the 34-year-old, Ronaldo hit back just 24 hours later, scoring against Atalanta - who are the 39th Champions League opponent that he's netted against.

Both men helped drag their sides back from the brink after going behind early in their respective Champions League matchups.

In Messi's case, PSG found themselves 2-1 down heading into the final hour of play, only for the Argentine to slot home an equaliser, followed by a clinical panenka penalty.

Ronaldo and Manchester United meanwhile, had an even bigger task on their hands. Atalanta held a 2-0 advantage at halftime, requiring yet another European great escape from Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men.

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire restored parity before Ronaldo added yet another Champions League goal to his record with 10 minutes to go - his first in the competition against Atalanta.

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PA

United would subsequently hold on for a 3-2 win - one that takes them to the helm of Group F.

"If anyone wants to criticise him for his work rate or attitude, just watch this game, watch how he runs around - he's great in front of goal," United boss Solskjaer said of Ronaldo after his match-winner.

"I was really pleased with how he led the line. We asked him to run the channels and press more. We were at home and we wanted to get the crowd behind us.

"He did everything a centre-forward should do, leading the line and defending. The goal is just what he does better than most."Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Lionel Messi, Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo