Ronaldo strike books quarter-final spot

United 1-0 Lyon
By Chris,
March 4 2008

Manchester United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the European Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Lyon at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal on the stroke of half-time - but the French side battled back after the interval and came close to sending the game into extra-time.

United struggled to breakthrough a stubborn Lyon backline during a tense opening half. Darren Fletcher sent a long-range effort over the bar, but Lyon's defensive approach looked to set to maintain parity at half-time.

However, Ronaldo pounced with moments left of the first-half as he fired home a crucial strike. The winger latched onto a loose ball from ten yards out and squeezed the ball passed Gregory Coupet  from a difficult angle. Superb.

The visitors pushed forward after the break and perhaps deserved an equaliser. Kader Keita had OL's best chance as he thumped an effort against the woodwork - but United held on for a memorable win.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men now look forward to the last eight - Arsenal, Barcelona and Fenerbache will join them after Tuesday's European action.