Terland and Malard set Manchester United on course for last eight in win over Atlético | OneFootball

Manchester United took a big step towards the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League by sealing a comfortable lead in the first leg of their playoff against Atlético Madrid after goals from Elisabeth Terland, Melvine Malard and Julia Zigiotti Olme.

“I think it was [a professional win],” a delighted Marc Skinner, the United manager, said. “It was ­difficult for both teams on the pitch. I can understand it with the number of storms they had ... but I did think it affected the football. I thought we were ruthless. The three goals were fantastic. I felt like our defending as a whole team was excellent.”

These two are familiar opponents, having met in Madrid back in October in the league phase. United came out with a 1-0 win on that occasion in an eventful encounter in which both sides were reduced to 10 players.

Since then, their fortunes have diverged. Skinner’s side are in strong form that has taken them to second place in the Women’s Super League and to their first League Cup final.

For Atlético, things have been less rosy. They have had an inconsistent season in Liga F and they now sit fifth. Poor results led to the replacement of Victor Martín with José Herrera in late January. In the three matches since, the manager has implemented a change to a back three and they earned their first win in seven against Levante last weekend.

Herrera named an unchanged lineup from that win. They were without the electric midfielder Luany due to suspension while the new arrivals Priscila Chinchilla and Kathrine Møller Kühl were on the bench.

In contrast, Skinner made three changes from Saturday’s victory over Leicester. With three goals in her past four matches, the clinical Terland returned, while Ellen Wangerheim was handed her first Champions League start in a United shirt.

Atlético’s Fiamma Benítez had said pre-match that Madrid would need to cut out mistakes but a big error within three minutes put them on the back foot. Vilde Bøe Risa handed her former side a gift with a pass straight to Malard. The France international spotted the run of Terland and the Norwegian duly converted.

“You can put two goalkeepers in front of her finish and they wouldn’t have saved it,” Skinner said. “It was that good. Teri is one of the best finishers that I have ever worked with. She worked tirelessly. When she’s in this form, she’s unstoppable.”

In the 10 minutes that followed, United looked as if they were going to run away with it. Terland had a second goal disallowed for offside while Malard continued to cause problems.

A bright spell of possession did eventually come for the Spanish side but they failed to test Phallon Tullis-Joyce when given the chance.

In contrast, United took their chances and doubled the lead just before half-time. Malard beat Silvia Lloris before unleashing a curling finish past the helpless Lola Gallardo. Three shots, two goals – clinical.

Jayde Riviere stung the hands of Gallardo immediately after the break as United looked to put the game to bed. Atlético, however, were not going down without a fight.

Amaiur Sarriegi recorded their first shot on target that was saved. The United keeper then tipped Bøe Risa’s free-kick on to the woodwork before Fiamma’s effort was deflected wide.

Skinner’s side weathered the brief storm and still had time to make sure of the win. Zigiotti Olme drove in an angled shot late on to send United home confident of reaching a quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich.

Header image: [Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters]