Atletico Madrid strike early to beat Manchester United in Champions League

Atletico Madrid claimed their first points of the Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in front of their home supporters.

Pablo Barrios opened the scoring inside 47 seconds before Ademola Lookman added a second late on, after Manchester United had been reduced to 10 men.

The result lifted Atletico from 26th to 13th in the standings. Manchester United, who have three points from one win and one defeat, dropped to seventh.

Manchester United will travel to Italian side Como next week, while Atletico Madrid visit Stuttgart.

Team news

Atletico manager Diego Simeone named three Argentine players in his starting side: Cristian Romero, Giovanni Simeone and Alvarez.

Michael Carrick selected an attacking partnership of Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford for Manchester United.

Carlos Baleba made his first start for United after coming on as a substitute against Tottenham at the start of the week following his recovery from injury.

Barrios gives Atletico flying start

Atletico needed only 47 seconds to take the lead. A swift move ended with Alex Baena delivering a cross into the area, where Pablo Barrios finished to put the hosts ahead.

It was Atletico Madrid’s second-fastest goal in Champions League history, behind Conor Gallagher’s strike against Real Madrid after 27 seconds in 2025.

Manchester United’s defensive problems in Europe continued. They have kept only one clean sheet in their past 15 European matches.

Bryan Mbeumo went close to an equaliser in the 12th minute after beating his marker before sending a low shot just wide of the post. Ten minutes later, the Cameroon international combined with Bruno Fernandes and found himself with another opportunity, but Jan Oblak produced an excellent save to preserve Atletico’s lead.

Alejandro Grimaldo struck the crossbar with a direct free-kick in the 27th minute.

Manchester United thought they had equalised through Jonny Cardoso four minutes before half-time, but the goal was ruled out following a video assistant referee review because of a foul. Atletico therefore went into the interval 1-0 ahead.

Julian Alvarez missed a chance to extend the hosts’ advantage in the second half when his shot hit the left post in the 55th minute.

Bruno Fernandes then saw a powerful effort crash against the crossbar in the 70th minute, with Atletico still holding on to their narrow lead.

Following another VAR review, United defender Leny Yoro was sent off for bringing down the advancing Ademola Lookman. The visitors had to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men.

Atletico quickly took advantage of the numerical advantage. Lookman doubled their lead by following up after Senni Lamine had saved Jonathan David’s attempt.

Jan Oblak made another important intervention in the third minute of added time, stopping Matheus Cunha’s low shot from reducing the deficit as Atletico completed a 2-0 win.