Atletico Madrid Women 0-3 Man Utd Women: United put one foot into Champions League quarter-finals with first-leg victory
Thursday 12 February 2026 22:59, UK
Manchester United put one foot into the Women's Champions League quarter-finals after they earned a comprehensive 3-0 victory away at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their play-off round tie.
Elisabeth Terland's third-minute effort put the visitors in control before Melvine Malard struck a second before the break.
Atletico did not die wondering in the second period and had several chances to get themselves back in the tie, including Vilde Boe Risa hitting the crossbar, but Julia Zigiotti Olme put United in command heading into the second leg next Thursday.
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United were quick out the blocks and had the opener to show for it when Malard sent a pass to Terland who had the beating of a couple of defenders and arrowed a powerful shot into the top corner.
And it could have been two five minutes later when Ellen Wangerheim headed Jess Park's cross into the path of Terland who finished emphatically, but the assistant referee's offside flag cut celebrations short.
United were dominating the early proceedings and Atletico were just about hanging on as Malard proved troublesome and sent an effort straight at Lola Gallardo.
The hosts eventually settled into the contest, though, and Fiamma Benitez picked off a one-two with Synne Jensen but was unable to curl her effort on target.
Manchester United got their two-goal advantage five minutes before the break, Malard latched on to a through ball by Hinata Miyazawa and bent a lovely finish into the bottom corner.
The home side looked for a way back into the contest and Amaiur Sarriegi drilled one towards goal but Phallon Tullis-Joyce was equal to it.
Atletico continued to knock on the door and had a free-kick when Jayde Riviere brought down Rosa Otermin outside the box and Boa Risa's effort was tipped onto the bar by Tullis-Joyce.
Despite the Atletico pressure, United made it three when Malard slipped through to Zigiotti Olme who buried it beyond Gallardo
Janssen: United are like a big family
Man Utd defender Dominique Janssen speaking with Disney+:
"It was a pretty solid performance. I think the second half was a bit rough but the first half we had some good plays. Overall we can be happy.
"Generally, how the team is doing, that's the secret weapon. Everyone is happy to here. It's like one big family. That's the strength of Man Utd.
"We came back after the break good and it's been showing in the performances."
On how experience has helped in debut Champions League season:
"The experience really helps. We are a young team. We really want to go forward and create chances but I think it's important sometimes that you just keep the ball.
"I think today we had moments where we showed that patience on the ball. It is good to see generally that we have players with that experience and we are putting it out on the pitch.
"I have to be honest, I was a little bit anxious coming back here. I'm really happy it turned out the way it did."
