Manchester United W.F.C. seize control of European tie with emphatic first-leg win over Atlético Madrid Femenino

Manchester United moved to the brink of the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals after a dominant 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their knockout play-off in the Spanish capital, Sport360NG reports.

First-half goals from Elisabeth Terland and Melvine Malard put Marc Skinner’s side firmly in command before Julia Zigiotti Olme added a late third to hand the visitors a commanding cushion ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford on 19 February (20:00 GMT). The aggregate winners will face German heavyweights FC Bayern Munich (women) in the last eight.

United could not have asked for a better start. Inside three minutes, Malard threaded an incisive pass through the Atletico backline for Terland, who cut inside with composure before rifling into the top-right corner.

Terland believed she had doubled her tally moments later when she volleyed home from Ellen Wangerheim’s knock-down, but celebrations were cut short after an offside decision was upheld following a VAR review.

Atletico sought a route back into the contest before the break, with Fiamma Benitez firing over after combining neatly with Synne Jensen. However, it was United who struck again. Malard raced onto a precise through ball from Hinata Miyazawa and curled a measured finish beyond Lola Gallardo to make it 2-0.

The visitors resumed after the interval with similar intensity. Gallardo was forced into a sharp save at close range to deny Jayde Riviere less than two minutes into the second half.

Atletico responded with sustained pressure, but United’s defence remained resolute. Vilde Boe Risa rattled the crossbar with a 25-yard free-kick against her former club, while Benitez was thwarted by a packed United backline from close quarters.

Any lingering hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the closing stages. Malard turned provider for a second time, squaring for Zigiotti Olme, who drilled a low effort inside the near post to seal a comprehensive first-leg advantage.

Late Drama Elsewhere

In Thursday’s other play-off tie, VfL Wolfsburg (women) struck twice late on to salvage a 2-2 draw against Juventus FC Women. Sarai Linder’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured the contest remains finely balanced heading into the second leg in Turin.

The winners of that encounter will advance to face record eight-time champions Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in the quarter-finals.