Man Utd Vs Atl. Madrid: United sweep Atlético to set up Bayern quarter
Manchester United defeated Atlético Madrid 2-0 in the second leg as part of man utd vs atl. madrid, completing a 5-0 aggregate victory that sends United into the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals and guarantees an all-English trio in the last eight. The result matters now because United will face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and have a home leg confirmed for Old Trafford.
United took control early and never relinquished it. Julia Zigiotti Olme opened the scoring with a low, decisively struck finish after United worked their way through Atlético’s defence, and Jess Park added a sensational long-range effort shortly before half-time that bent into the top-right corner. The second-leg win finished 2-0 and made the tie 5-0 on aggregate.
Man Utd Vs Atl. Madrid: Zigiotti Olme set the tone, Park supplied the moment
Park’s strike drew gasps from the crowd at Leigh Sports Village; the goal followed a short corner and saw her open her body and lash the ball into the far corner. A former England midfielder described the strike as laced and rocket-like, saying it "goes up and up and up like a rocket. " Park continued to threaten after the break, hitting the post and creating opportunities for teammates before being substituted to a standing ovation on 78 minutes.
Before Park’s moment, Zigiotti Olme had put United ahead with a low finish after a slick passing move. Atlético had early moments — Synne Jensen twice forced good saves from Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Melvine Malard tested goalkeeper Lola Gallardo with a swerving strike — but United’s control grew and the visitors were reduced to 10 players late on when Xènia Pérez received a second yellow card.
Squad depth, debuts and a late kit change in the build-up
Manager Marc Skinner emphasised the challenge of squad rotation, noting: "The biggest challenge this year is squad rotation. We haven't had to do that before because we have not been at this level of competition and I have to be good at that and managing the team - that's conversations with players that don't play. " He added that the side are "fighting through with a small squad" and expressed hope injured players return quickly.
United handed a debut to 17-year-old Jess Anderson, an appearance that drew an emotional moment in the huddle when Anderson thanked the manager and he replied, "thank you, you're the player. " Ahead of the tie match officials requested a late kit change for United's big night.
What the win changes and what comes next
The victory guarantees United a place in the quarter-finals alongside Chelsea and Arsenal, making three English teams in the last eight. Other teams through to the quarter-finals are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Wolfsburg, Lyon and Bayern Munich. United will face Bayern Munich in the quarter-final, with the tie scheduled between 23 March and 1 April and United’s quarter-final home leg confirmed to be played at Old Trafford.
Park’s form has also increased her national-team prospects: she arrives at the Lionesses’ first camp of the year ahead of travel to Turkey to prepare to face Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on 3 March, followed by a home match against Iceland on 7 March. United now turn their attention to recovery and preparation as the calendar moves toward the quarter-final window at the end of March.
