Man United Women crush Atletico Madrid 3-0 in UCL knockout play-off first leg

Manchester United Women won 3-0 at Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout play-offs first leg on Thursday evening.

United opened the scoring inside the third minute as Elisabeth Terland received a pass from Melvine Malard and rifled her strike into the top corner.

Malard thought she had doubled United’s lead when she smashed the ball into the net in the eighth minute, only for her effort to be ruled offside.

Aiming to get on the scoresheet, the French forward drove into the box, but could only fire her shot straight at goalkeeper Lola Gallardo.

She eventually scored in the 39th minute, latching onto Hinata Miyazawa’s pass and slotting the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

United resumed their dominance after the break, with Jayde Riviere stinging the palms of Gallardo in the 48th minute.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce made her first save in the 64th minute, tipping former United midfielder Vilde Boa Risa’s curling free-kick onto the crossbar.

Atleti came close again when Synne Jensen squared the ball across goal, but Maya Le Tissier’s timely intervention averted the danger.

Shortly after, Jensen saw her volley land on the roof of the net as Atleti upped the ante.

However, Julia Zigiotti Olme ended any hopes of a comeback in the 81st minute, smashing a low shot home to score for the second consecutive game.

United host Atleti in the reverse fixture next Thursday, with Bayern Munich awaiting the winner.

Article written by Henry Thornton .