Man Utd close to Champions League quarter-final after big first-leg win in Madrid | OneFootball

Manchester United are close to setting up a quarter-final against Bayern Munich after a hard-fought 3-0 win away to Atlético de Madrid.

It wasn't the best conditions in the Spanish capital with a soggy pitch and plenty of rain but regardless the visitors started well, taking the lead inside the third minute.

Former United midfielder Vilde Bøe Risa was guilty of giving the ball away to her former side with Melvine Malard finding Elisabeth Terland to smash the ball past Lola Gallardo.

The ball was in the Atlético net five minutes later when Ellen Wangerheim headed down for Terland to finish again, however this time the Norwegian had just strayed offside.

The Spanish side grew into the game after that with Fiamma Iannuzzi in particular looking a threat but were hit by a double sucker punch just before the break.

Hinata Miyazawa freed Melvine Malard down the channel with Silvia Lloris injuring herself in an attempt to win the ball back only for the French forward to then fire the net. The Spanish defender looked in pain as she had to be replaced.

United also had a player forced off due injury early in the second half and Marc Skinner will be hoping the injury to Anna Sandberg isn't too serious considering her importance with Gabrielle George taking her place.

The home side pushed to get back into the game in the second half with Bøe Risa turning Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a fingertip save that pushed her free-kick off the bar. Later, Maya Le Tissier needed to make two vital blocks to keep the score at 2-0.

However, the WSL side did look threatening when they went forward and found a third in the 81st minute after some neat interchange with Lisa Naalsund prodding the ball through to Malard who then set up Julia Zigiotti Olme to net her fourth goal in six games.

That goal was harsh on the home side who certainly deserved something for their effort and will be very happy to earn a three-goal cushion going into the second leg.