Atletico Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0 in Champions League in Madrid on October 13, 2026
Atletico Madrid defeated Manchester United 2-0 in a Champions League match in Madrid on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, increasing pressure on Red Devils coach Michael Carrick. Pablo Barrios scored inside the first minute and Ademola Lookman added a second after Leny Yoro was sent off in the 74th minute.
Manchester United arrived in poor form, having made their worst domestic start in 40 years and remaining winless in five games across all competitions. Carrick named Carlos Baleba in his first start for the club since the midfielder arrived from Brighton this summer and moved captain Bruno Fernandes to the right. Atletico were without skipper Koke following the death of his mother, and Diego Simeone selected Julian Alvarez from the off at the Metropolitano for the first time this season after the striker tried to force a departure this summer.
Atletico supporters displayed a banner reading "Defend what we love" before kick-off, and the home side struck within 50 seconds. Alex Baena worked a route in behind United's defence and cut the ball across for Barrios, whose shot crossed the line with goalkeeper Ayden Heaven unable to keep it out.
United threatened to respond when Bryan Mbuemo nudged a chance through Cristian Romero's legs but shot wide. Alejandro Grimaldo came close for Atletico with a free-kick that struck the angle between post and crossbar. Atletico's hosts believed they had doubled their lead before half-time when Johnny Cardoso finished from the edge of the box, but VAR showed the ball had hit Marcos Llorente's hand in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
Julian Alvarez hit the post early in the second half as Atletico pushed for a second. United rallied briefly, with Bruno Fernandes seeing a lob drift narrowly wide and later hitting the crossbar from the left of the box after a corner routine. The match turned when Manchester United defender Leny Yoro was sent off after a VAR review for bringing down Canada striker Jonathan David as the last man.
Following Yoro's dismissal, Jonathan David was denied by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens before Lookman followed up to tuck home the rebound after 79 minutes. Carrick later substituted Fernandes, and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced a save from Manchester United substitute Matheus Cunha in the closing stages, leaving United unable to find a way back.
Carrick withdrew playmaker Fernandes, looking ahead to the weekend visit to face rivals Leeds in the English top flight, where improvement is badly needed. Atletico claimed their first Champions League points after an opening defeat at Liverpool.
