Manchester United came from behind to beat AC Milan and edge ahead in their Champions League last-16 tie.
A deflected Ronaldinho goal put the Rossoneri ahead before a lucky Paul Scholes goal restored parity.
Wayne Rooney then scored two second-half headers as the Reds took command, but a late strike from Clarence Seedorf gives Milan hope for the return leg at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick was sent off late on for United for a second bookable offence.
United were made to look like a bunch of nervous mistake riddled rookies in the opening half hour.
Ronaldinho is only five weeks short of joining the 30 somethings in the Rossoneri dressing room and the word was that the one-time World Footballer of the Year is now shot!
It is doubtful that Rafael would have swallowed such theories but on his biggest Champions League night yet he still couldn't handle his fellow Brazilians magic opening.
The ever-present smile on his face that has illuminated so many matches down the years had supposed to have faded but Ronaldinho was all flashing teeth again as he reproduced a devastating repertoire.
It added up to a killer start for the Reds who suffered on both sides from some Copacabana artistry.
While Rafael was to ultimately struggle in his youth versus experience, Patrice Evra was in trouble the other way around.
Evra has been one of United best players all campaign and has a great many supporters justifiably claiming he is the best left back in the world. But Milan's 20-year-old Brazilian Pato made him look ordinary at times and he forced Evra to give away a foul in the third minute.
It was David Beckham's first moment for glory. His free kick was met by a spectacular attempt at a clearance by Evra.
The Frenchman is a fine exponent of the mid-air art but this time it flew into the danger area and Ronaldhino's strike glanced off Carrick and wrong-footed Edwin Van der Sar.
Now United had to show their true mettle when the chips are down, even though the Reds' record against AC in the San Siro didn't suggest a goal coming from anywhere.
A deflected Ronaldinho goal put the Rossoneri ahead before a lucky Paul Scholes goal restored parity.
Wayne Rooney then scored two second-half headers as the Reds took command, but a late strike from Clarence Seedorf gives Milan hope for the return leg at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick was sent off late on for United for a second bookable offence.
United were made to look like a bunch of nervous mistake riddled rookies in the opening half hour.
Ronaldinho is only five weeks short of joining the 30 somethings in the Rossoneri dressing room and the word was that the one-time World Footballer of the Year is now shot!
It is doubtful that Rafael would have swallowed such theories but on his biggest Champions League night yet he still couldn't handle his fellow Brazilians magic opening.
The ever-present smile on his face that has illuminated so many matches down the years had supposed to have faded but Ronaldinho was all flashing teeth again as he reproduced a devastating repertoire.
It added up to a killer start for the Reds who suffered on both sides from some Copacabana artistry.
While Rafael was to ultimately struggle in his youth versus experience, Patrice Evra was in trouble the other way around.
Evra has been one of United best players all campaign and has a great many supporters justifiably claiming he is the best left back in the world. But Milan's 20-year-old Brazilian Pato made him look ordinary at times and he forced Evra to give away a foul in the third minute.
It was David Beckham's first moment for glory. His free kick was met by a spectacular attempt at a clearance by Evra.
The Frenchman is a fine exponent of the mid-air art but this time it flew into the danger area and Ronaldhino's strike glanced off Carrick and wrong-footed Edwin Van der Sar.
Now United had to show their true mettle when the chips are down, even though the Reds' record against AC in the San Siro didn't suggest a goal coming from anywhere.
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