Telles lost for words after first United goal
Alex Telles scored his first goal for Manchester United when he equalised in the second half of Wednesday evening's Champions League tie against Villarreal.
The Brazilian full-back netted in spectacular style, on what ended up being another memorable European night at the Theatre of Dreams. On the hour mark, shortly after Villarreal went ahead through Paco Alcacer, the Reds got a free-kick on the right side of the visitors' area.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the set-piece and most expected a cross into the box. However, our no.18 and Alex Telles had a different idea in mind. A lofted cross towards the left-back precisely found him roughly 20 yards from goal. From outside of the Yellow Submarine's penalty area, our no.27 volleyed into the bottom left-hand corner, leaving the Spanish side's goalkeeper Geronimio Rulli with no chance.
A raucous reaction from the Stretford End, and the rest of Old Trafford, followed, with the effort later proving to be the first of two vital goals as the Reds came away with three points in Group F, following Cristiano Ronaldo's 95th-minute winner to make it 2-1.
Highlights: United 2 Villarreal 1
Goals from Telles and Ronaldo make our two-minute highlights well worth watching…
Although much of the limelight understandably shone on Ronaldo after that dramatic match-winning goal, one should not forget Telles' involvement in Wednesday's triumph.
The man himself was almost lost for words afterwards, having registered his first strike in United colours since his arrival from FC Porto last October.
"Wow," the Brazilian wrote on social media.
"Still trying to find words to express my feelings... My first goal for United, inside a packed Old Trafford, and an incredible victory on a Champions League night.
"This is football: working and believing until the end. Thank you all for your support."
You could tell from Telles's passionate celebration that the goal was something the 28-year-old had waited a long time for, and what a way to do it.
The strike made him the seventh Brazilian to score for the club after Kleberson, Rafael da Silva, Anderson, Fabio da Silva, Andreas Pereira and Fred.
— Alex Telles (@AT13Oficial) September 29, 2021
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the volleyed equaliser during his post-match interviews.
"Second half, it was still open and they deserved to lead but you know Old Trafford is magic," he said.
"Champions League, Old Trafford, sometimes that history can help us and tonight Cristiano came up with a good goal and Alex scored a fantastic goal."
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 (𝟭)
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2021
Take it away, @AT13Oficial 😎@TeamViewer | #BringingYouCloser pic.twitter.com/LfYnOtgdVS