Julia Zigiotti and Jess Park celebrate for Manchester UnitedImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Man Utd were leading 3-0 after the first leg going into their home tie

At a glance

  • Julia Zigiotti puts Manchester United ahead in second leg with a low finish midway through the first half before Jess Park's brilliant strike makes it 2-0

  • Atletico Madrid had chances through Synne Jensen in a threatening first half

  • United will face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals

By
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Leigh Sports Village

Manchester United are through to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League in their first season in the competition after beating Atletico Madrid.

Marc Skinner's side navigated a two-legged play-off and won 5-0 on aggregate having secured a 3-0 lead in Spain last week.

They were put under pressure at Leigh Sports Village with Atletico knowing they needed to score early to stand any chance of mounting an unlikely comeback.

But it was United who broke the deadlock with Julia Zigiotti slotting away Lisa Naalsund's pull-back, before Jess Park produced another brilliant strike.

That ended the contest before half-time, which would have come as a relief for Skinner, whose squad has been hit by injuries in recent weeks.

There were just four outfield players on United's bench but their depth was not tested with Atletico failing to match the ruthlessness of the hosts in both games.

Atletico striker Synne Jensen was their bright spark in Leigh and she tested goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce on several occasions in the first half.

But with the tie taken out of their reach within half an hour, United were able to cruise to victory and set up a quarter-final meeting with Bayern Munich.

With the game done and dusted, Atletico defender Xenia Perez was sent off following a second booking, ending a drab evening for the visitors.

United join English rivals Arsenal and Chelsea - who play each other - in the last eight, with the first legs taking place on 24-25 March.

Man Utd analysis: Ruthlessness seals victory

The last time United finished inside the Women's Super League's top three and earned a spot in the Champions League qualification rounds back in 2023, they did not take advantage.

But they were better equipped this time around as they not only qualified for the league phase, but navigated it well to be rewarded with this winnable play-off tie.

There was little to separate the sides in terms of performance in the first leg in Spain but United punished Atletico's defensive errors and were clinical in front of goal.

That meant they had one foot in the quarter-finals and eased through impressively, joining a line-up of established European giants.

There were question marks over whether United would spend what they needed to in order to build a squad capable of challenging in the Champions League but their recruitment in the past year has proven to be shrewd.

Skinner has rotated the squad effectively, ensuring they remain second in the WSL table, and with a place in the Women's League Cup final.

The fact they have made it look relatively easy to get this far in their first proper European campaign shows just how much they have grown in recent years.

And in Park they have one of Europe's most in-form players, who continues to deliver in a United shirt and has the ability to carry them even further.

German giants Bayern Munich are seasoned competitors in the Champions League but they will not relish the prospect of facing United.

"It's shown our maturity and growth. The team want to belong and they do," said Skinner afterwards.

"We know how difficult Bayern are going to be, but why not? There is an air of maturity about our group.

"I just think we're arriving and we're believing. That's a powerful thing in life and sport. Let's bring it on."

What's next for both teams?

Manchester United travel to London on Sunday to face Women's Super League rivals Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup (13:30 GMT).

Atletico Madrid are away for their next league game against Sevilla on Sunday (17:00 GMT).

Player of the match

Number: 8 J. Park
Average rating 9.04
Number: 8 J. Park
Average Rating: 9.04
Number: 4 M. Le Tissier
Average Rating: 8.23
Number: 18 J. Zigiotti Olme
Average Rating: 8.13
Number: 19 E. Wangerheim
Average Rating: 8.11
Number: 91 P. Tullis-Joyce
Average Rating: 7.96
Number: 20 H. Miyazawa
Average Rating: 7.87
Number: 47 J. Anderson
Average Rating: 7.85
Number: 21 M. Turner
Average Rating: 7.81
Number: 3 G. George
Average Rating: 7.63
Number: 9 M. Malard
Average Rating: 7.63
Number: 17 D. Janssen
Average Rating: 7.58
Number: 13 S. Awujo
Average Rating: 7.46
Number: 16 L. Naalsund
Average Rating: 7.42
Number: 24 L. Schüller
Average Rating: 7.40
Number: 5 H. Lundkvist
Average Rating: 7.21

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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