Atletico Madrid 2-0 Manchester United: Simeone's side pile more misery on Carrick

Atletico Madrid earned their first win in the Champions League this season after they brushed aside 10-man Manchester United 2-0.

The Metropolitano had something to cheer about in the first minute as Pablo Barrios broke the deadlock within 47 seconds, while Johnny Cardoso had a second goal disallowed before the break.

Though United tried to push for an equaliser, Leny Yoro's sending-off made it an uphill battle, and Ademola Lookman duly punished Michael Carrick's struggling side.

Atletico made a dream start as they cut open United's defence with minimum fuss and Alex Baena squared it to Barrios. His low shot sneaked in after a deflection off Ayden Heaven, with Senne Lammens unable to scramble back and keep it out.

Bryan Mbeumo had United's two best chances of the first half. His low drive was blocked, while Jan Oblak covered his near post well to smother his next tight-angled effort.

Atletico soon turned up the pressure again, though, as Alejandro Grimaldo curled a free-kick from 20 yards out against the corner of the goal frame.

And on the stroke of half-time, Cardoso thought he had doubled Atletico's lead by sweeping in Barrios' lay-off, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review as Marcos Llorente handled the ball as he bundled it past Heaven in the build-up.

The woodwork denied Atletico again in the 54th minute as Julian Alvarez volleyed past a helpless Lammens against the post, while Bruno Fernandes fired wide and curled a looping effort off the top of the crossbar at the other end.

But United were given a mountain to climb in the 74th minute; Jonathan David was originally penalised for handling the ball before teeing up Lookman for a saved one-on-one shot, but Yoro was sent off following a VAR review for denying the Canadian a goalscoring opportunity moments before.

And it took Atletico just five minutes to use their numerical advantage. Grimaldo surged forward and picked out David, who was denied by Lammens, but Lookman reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.

United almost got a late consolation through Matheus Cunha after a poor clearance, but after Joshua Zirkzee teed him up, Oblak denied the former Atletico man with an outstretched leg.

Atletico make quick impacts as United's defence wobbles again

A disappointing draw with 10-man Tottenham at the weekend piled extra pressure on Carrick, who knew how important a morale-boosting victory would have been here. 

But Atleti ensured the Red Devils made the worst possible start; United have now conceded in the opening minute of a Champions League game for the fourth time, while it was the hosts' second-earliest goal in the competition after Conor Gallagher against Real Madrid in March 2025 (27 seconds).

When Lookman came on, it took him just eight minutes to find an opening. In his six Champions League appearances as a substitute, he has been involved in four goals (three goals, one assist).

United are a favourite opponent for Atletico, however, as they have never lost to the Red Devils, with this being their fifth meeting (W3 D2).

It was a fairly even game, at least until Yoro became the third-youngest United player to be sent off in a Champions League game. Atleti had 11 shots worth 1.42 expected goals (xG), with five of those on target, while United racked up nine attempts worth 0.98 xG and tested Oblak four times. 

They could not find a breakthrough, though, meaning Atletico have a precious clean sheet – just their second in their last 16 home Champions League games.