Manchester United took a big step towards booking a Champions League quarter-final spot with a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their knockout play-off tie.
Elisabeth Terland’s early opener set the tone for United as further goals from Melvine Malard and Julia Zigiotti followed on either side of half-time in the Spanish capital.
Marc Skinner’s side host Atletico in the return fixture next Thursday, with the winners facing Bayern Munich in the last eight.
Less than three minutes were on the clock at Centro Deportivo Wanda Alcala de Henares when Malard played in Terland to create some space and pick out the top-right corner.
Terland had a goal ruled out for offside soon after, but Malard curled a shot away from Lola Gallardo to double the visitors’ lead six minutes before half-time.
Atletico pressed for a goal to take to Manchester, with Vilde Boe Risa going close to doing so when hitting the crossbar.
But it was United who found the third goal, as Zigiotti drilled home in the final 10 minutes after yet more good work from Malard.
Thursday’s other first leg provided plenty of drama as Wolfsburg battled back to draw 2-2 with Juventus in a game they trailed by two goals with 81 minutes played.
Ana Capeta and Amalie Vangsgaard had put Juve in control, but Janina Minge’s penalty and Sarai Linder’s 95th-minute goal ensure it is all to play for next week.
Thank you for your support in Madrid, Reds pic.twitter.com/n4t4hTiHA3
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) February 12, 2026
Data Debrief: Rolfo’s absence not felt in Madrid
Fridolina Rolfo scored the winner in October’s meeting between these sides, and she has been involved in four of United’s goals in the Champions League this term.
But with the winger ruled out of this contest in Spain, Malard more than stepped up with two assists and a goal of her own.
United have now recorded four clean sheets in seven games in the competition, with this latest shutout leaving them on the brink of a quarter-final spot.