Manchester United overcame the first-half dismissal of Dominique Janssen to close out a win over Atlético Madrid and maintain their perfect start to their first Women’s Champions League campaign. The Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfö fired in a close-range volley to score the decisive goal.
The Dutch centre-back was shown a red card before the break after a VAR review into her sliding challenge on Gio Garbelini, who was taken off on a stretcher. Atlético also finished the match with 10 players after their defender Alexia Fernández received a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining.
United – missing Jess Park because of concussion – made a positive start at the Centro Deportivo Alcalá de Henares. Ella Toone sent a curling effort just wide inside the opening 20 seconds before Rolfö then fired over.
Atlético broke on a counterattack down the right in the 16th minute, but Fiamma Iannuzzi’s sidefoot shot was blocked by the United captain, Maya Le Tissier.
United went in front in the 24th minute when Rolfö crashed in a volley at the back post after Julia Zigiotti Olme had swung the ball in from the right.
Melvine Malard then prodded a low shot just wide after darting into the penalty area before United – who beat Valerenga in their opening match – were reduced to 10 players in the 37th minute.
Janssen was initially shown a yellow card after clattering into Garbelini just outside the area. However, with the Brazilian down and needing treatment, the Greek referee, Eleni Antoniou, was advised to review the sliding tackle from behind – which she decided merited a red card.
After a lengthy stoppage, Garbelini was carried off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.
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Atlético – who thrashed St Polten 6-0 in their opening group game, but then lost to Barcelona by the same score last weekend – made a strong start to the second half. Synne Jensen sent a low shot wide before United’s keeper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, tipped over a fierce strike from the Brazilian midfielder Luany.
The hosts were then also reduced to 10 when the full-back Fernández collected a second yellow card in the 74th minute for a foul on United’s substitute Leah Galton.
Malard broke clear late on and drove into the Atlético area but clipped a low shot wide. However, United held on and now have six points from six and are flying high in the 18-team table.
