Video: Trailblazing United Women breeze past Atletico Madrid 2-0 to set up thrilling quarter final CL date

Manchester United Women put in a professional performance to keep their European dream alive against Atlético Madrid. First half 3-0 up from the first leg, the game started in a very open fashion, with the away side needing to score early on. Rosa Otermín was the first to have a go from outside the penalty area, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce dived down low to keep out the early strike. Lauren Leal was next to threaten the United box, and her close-range header really should have found the target, but she could only skew the ball over the crossbar. It was the Red Devils who got themselves ahead on the night and put the match to bed when Julia Zigiotti scored once again. The Norwegian Lisa Naalsund went on a mazy run down the left and found Zigiotti, who shot from distance and the ball crept under the Atlético keeper. After 41 minutes, a piece of magic completely wrapped up the tie. Jess Park has been a sensational, transformative signing for United, and she continued to show why last night. A short corner routine resulted in Hinata Miyazawa setting up Park for a fierce, dipping long-distance effort that perhaps two keepers could not have stopped. 😮‍💨 The pitch is her Park 😮‍💨#UWCL pic.twitter.com/JfJDaxsD0u — UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) February 19, 2026 United went into the half-time break 2-0 up on the night and 5-0 up on aggregate. Second half The second half continued much like the first half ended, with United appearing the most dangerous team. Hanna Lundkvist played a ball over the top for Park, who came down the wing and squared to Ellen Wangerheim, but her effort was well parried by Lola Gallardo. United played some lovely football in the second half and combined wonderfully as Park almost scored her second. Wangerheim was played in and a wonderful reverse ball found Park, who shot first time with her left foot, but her effort struck the base of the post. The game somewhat lulled to a conclusion, but Atlético’s Xenia Perez was sent off in the 85th minute to make a bad night even worse for the Spanish visitors. United saw out the game comfortably enough and will now face Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the competition. Jess Park stats vs Atletico Madrid Goals1 Assists0 Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)1 (0) Accurate passes25/28 (89%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)19/20 (95%) Passes in own half (acc.)6/8 (75%) Long balls (accurate)1/2 (50%) Total shots2 Shots on target1 Hit woodwork1 Shots blocked0 Touches43 Unsuccessful touches2 Dribbles (successful)6 (2) Was fouled1 Possession lost12 Total carrying distance249.9 m Carries20 Progressive carries4 Total progression110.7 m Progressive carrying distance123.2 m Longest progressive carry35.5 m Def. contributions0 Tackles (won)0 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances0 Blocked shots0 Recoveries1 Ground duels (won)9 (3) Dribbled past1 Source: Sofascore Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.