Atletico de Madrid eased past Manchester United 2-0 as Pablo Barrios struck inside 50 seconds before Lookman punished the ten-man visitors late on.
Taking the lead inside 50 seconds makes life considerably easier. Atletico Madrid took command from the off and, bar a few fleeting scares, negotiated proceedings with minimal fuss to seal all three points. A high-calibre opening 45 minutes followed by astute game management in the second half proved more than enough to open their Champions League account against an opponent who now look like a European giant in crest and name only.
Pablo Barrios made it 1-0 following a sublime pass from Kang-In Lee and an incisive assist from Baena. Timing his run from deep, the ‘8’ beat Lammens with a low drive that Heaven tried in vain to hook off the line. The Metropolitano faithful grew uneasy as Atleti retreated into their shell, inviting United into their most threatening spell of the match. Mbeumo, twice thwarted by the outstretched boot of Oblak, and Rashford, who sliced an unmarked volley inside the six-yard box, both threatened an equaliser that would ultimately slip away.
Grimaldo clipped the crossbar with a free-kick just before the half-hour mark, coming agonisingly close to doubling the advantage. Cardoso thought he had extended the lead in the 43rd minute, but referee Nyberg disallowed the goal following a VAR review for a handball by Llorente. Atleti emerged with renewed purpose after the interval, rattling the woodwork when Julian struck the post. United responded as Bruno Fernandes lifted a delicate chip inches wide, before whipping a spectacular effort against the crossbar in the 70th minute.
The tie swung decisively in the closing stages. In the 74th minute, following a VAR review, the referee sent off Leny Yoro for a professional foul on Ademola Lookman. Just four minutes later, the forward pounced when Jonathan David’s strike was parried into his path, slotting home the 2-0 clincher to wrap up their first victory of this European campaign.
