Gallagher scores as Atletico beat Union Saint-Gilloise | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid continued their strong Champions League campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Union Saint-Gilloise at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano.

The hosts controlled proceedings from the outset and their pressure was rewarded shortly before half-time when Julián Álvarez broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, finishing confidently from close range after Giuliano Simeone’s burst down the right created the opening.

Atlético doubled their advantage midway through the second half when Conor Gallagher fired into the top corner on 72 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box to register his first goal in the competition.

Union Saint-Gilloise found a way back into the game nine minutes later as Ross Sykes rose highest to head in Sofiane Boufal’s teasing free-kick, briefly raising hopes of an unlikely comeback.

However, those hopes were extinguished deep into stoppage time when Marcos Llorente added a third, smashing home from inside the area after Thiago Almada’s effort was parried into his path.

The victory moves Diego Simeone’s side to six points from four matches, keeping them firmly in the hunt for qualification. The Belgian champions remain on three points and outside the advancing places, despite another spirited display.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

2':

Opportunity wasted. Rob Schoofs from Union Saint-Gilloise attempted a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.

2':

Opportunity wasted! Rob Schoofs from Union Saint-Gilloise took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Adem Zorgane.

8':

Rob Schoofs from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

12':

Adem Zorgane from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

23':

Kamiel Van de Perre from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

29':

Julián Alvarez from Atletico Madrid committed a foul.

29':

Álex Baena committed a foul against Atletico Madrid.

34':

Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid committed a foul.

36':

Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid committed a foul.

37':

Christian Burgess from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

Atletico Madrid takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Union Saint-Gilloise. Julián Alvarez scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, placing it perfectly into the left corner. The assist comes from Giuliano Simeone, who set him up after a quick counterattack.

39':

GOAL Atlético de Madrid: Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid) scores!

Julián Álvarez scores goal number 2 in the competition (3 matches)

42':

Kamiel Van de Perre from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

45':

Kamiel Van de Perre from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

49':

Opportunity wasted. Dávid Hancko of Atletico Madrid attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Antoine Griezmann, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

50':

Missed opportunity! Giuliano Simeone from Atletico Madrid took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.

50':

Opportunity wasted! Giuliano Simeone from Atletico Madrid took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Dávid Hancko.

51':

Álex Baena committed a foul against Atletico Madrid.

51':

Kevin Rodríguez from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

52':

Ross Sykes committed a foul against Union Saint-Gilloise.

55':

Opportunity wasted. José María Giménez of Atletico Madrid attempted a header from the center of the box but failed to convert. The chance was set up by Álex Baena, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

58':

Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid committed a foul.

60':

Rob Schoofs from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

66':

Ousseynou Niang from Union Saint-Gilloise committed a foul.

68':

Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid committed a foul.

70':

Conor Gallagher committed a foul against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid leads 2-0 against Union Saint-Gilloise. Conor Gallagher scores with a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the top right corner after a quick counter-attack.

72':

GOAL Atlético de Madrid: Conor Gallagher (Atlético de Madrid) scores!

Conor Gallagher scores goal number 1 in the competition (4 matches)

80':

GOAL Union St. Gilloise: Ross Sykes (Union St. Gilloise) scores!

Ross Sykes scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

90 +6':

GOAL Atlético de Madrid: Marcos Llorente (Atlético de Madrid) scores!

Marcos Llorente scores goal number 3 in the competition (4 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match