Ten-man Manchester United left Old Trafford seething as they crashed out of the Champions League in controversial fashion after Real Madrid beat them 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
It was a night of drama and no little controversy a night that Jose Mourinho triumphed once more over Sir Alex Ferguson, thanks in so small part to a harsh red card for Nani.
It was also the night Ferguson decided Wayne Rooney was no longer part of his strongest XI. After the first half it appeared Fergie had got his team selection just right.
Not only had United constricted Real to such an extent that David de Gea had not had a save to make at the break, but they had piled the pressure on the Madrid goal.
Giggs’ contrived to win a corner off Fabio Coentrao, and the Welshman himself whipped it in for Nemanja Vidic to smash a header against the foot of the post.
The fear factor in the stadium was rising in that too many let-offs could cost United dear after Robin van Persie forced an opening, Diego Lopez parried to the feet of Welbeck, but the keeper made amends to block a certain goal.
All Real had to show was one flash of Ronaldo magic, nipping to the side of Giggs but firing high and wide. Just three minutes into the second half Real’s Sergio Ramos turned the ball into his own net.
Then came the Nani dismissal, and one that will burn as an injustice in United hearts for years.
He hung his boot high and long in the air as the ball dropped, only to see his studs come into contact with Arbeloa’s chest. There was little in the way of intent or recklessness, nevertheless Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir reached for the red card.
The decision had Ferguson scrambling off his seat in fury as he no doubt feared this was the end of the line.
And so it proved a screamer by Luka Modric smacked in to the net off the post, then Ronaldo finally had an impact to sweep home a move created by a sweet flick by Mesut Ozil at the far-post.
Ferguson sent Rooney on with 17 minutes left. He had a chance with six minutes left for a goal that would have lifted the roof off Old Trafford but hooked over from six yards out.
And that was it. The world switched off, exhausted by the excitement of another epic European night.
* Borussia Dortmund coasted into the quarter-finals with a 3-0 (5-2 aggregate) victory over a disappointing Shakhtar Donetsk.
Two goals in six first-half minutes put Jurgen Klopp’s side in command, with Felipe Santana heading the first and Mario Goetze tucking in the second. Jakub Blaszczykowski sealed victory after an error by keeper Andriy Pyatov.