Atletico Madrid Secures 3-1 Win Over Union Saint-Gilloise in Champions League

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Union Saint-Gilloise

Atletico Madrid maintained their unbeaten home record in the UEFA Champions League this season with a 3-1 victory over Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

This win marked the end of Union Saint-Gilloise's three-match losing streak in the competition...

Atletico Madrid maintained their perfect home record in the UEFA Champions League this season with a 3-1 victory over Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. This win marked Atlético Madrid's second victory in the competition after back-to-back defeats.

The visitors got off to a lively start, exploiting counter-attacks with speed. However, Atletico Madrid's defense held strong, and the home team took the lead in the 39th minute through Julian Alvarez's goal. Alvarez scored after Giuliano Simeone's run down the right channel created space for a precise pass, allowing Alvarez to unleash a powerful half-volley.

The second half saw Atlético Madrid dominate possession and create scoring opportunities. Conor Gallagher doubled the lead in the 72nd minute with a powerful shot from inside the box. Union Saint-Gilloise pulled one back through Ross Sykes' header in the 81st minute, but Marcos Llorente sealed the win with a late goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, scoring from a rebound. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Atlético Madrid.

Atleti overcome Union SG in Madrid 🔴⚪️#UCL pic.twitter.com/O7IvJdpdUp

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 4, 2025

The match got off to a lively start, with Rob Schoofs nearly scoring within the first two minutes, firing just wide of the goal. However, Jan Oblak had a close call soon after when he struggled to control a backpass that was heading towards his own goal.

Atleti had a tough time keeping up with the pace of the Belgian champions, who created scoring opportunities. In the 17th minute, Kevin Rodríguez had a chance to score but failed to turn in Anan Khalaili's centre.

The tide turned midway through the half when Los Colchoneros finally created a scoring chance. Julian Alvarez's long-range strike tested Kjell Scherpen, who comfortably held onto the ball.

The match dynamics shifted dramatically around the 70-minute mark when Union Saint-Gilloise's Promise David, who had come on as a substitute, nearly scored with a snapshot that flashed past the post. However, it was Atlético Madrid who capitalized on the momentum, with Alexander Sorloth creating scoring opportunities. Sorloth's determined run saw him cut inside, and after having two shots blocked, the rebound fell to Conor Gallagher, who then fired the ball into the top corner, doubling Atlético Madrid's lead.

The goal marked a turning point in the match, as Union Saint-Gilloise's hopes began to dwindle despite their best efforts. The team had shown resilience and determination throughout the game, but ultimately, Atlético Madrid's quality and depth proved too much to handle. Ross Sykes did manage to pull one back for Union Saint-Gilloise in the 81st minute with a well-timed header, but it was too little, too late. Marcos Llorente sealed the win for Atlético Madrid with a late goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time, scoring from a rebound.

The final score was 3-1 in favor of Atlético Madrid, maintaining their perfect home record in the UEFA Champions League this season. Despite the loss, Union Saint-Gilloise's performance was a marked improvement from their previous two Champions League matches, and they will look to build on this momentum in their future games.

The hosts had a chance to extend their lead in first-half stoppage time when Antoine Griezmann tapped home a rebound, but VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to offside in the buildup.

Atleti maintained their momentum into the second half, creating their first chance five minutes in. Giuliano Simeone pursued a long aerial pass and struck the bouncing ball with force, but it went across the goal. Matteo Ruggeri then had a potentially threatening effort deflected narrowly over the crossbar, and Alexander Sorloth had a penalty appeal waved away as Atletico continued to press forward.

The match saw Alvarez create 

scoring opportunities for his teammates. A notable instance was when he delivered a cross to Jose Maria Gimenez, who had substituted in early. However, Gimenez's header lacked direction, sailing wide of the target.

Habla el MVP de la noche. pic.twitter.com/06edLWUGnX

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) November 5, 2025

The deadlock was broken six minutes before halftime when Pablo Barrios showcased his speed on the right flank. He pulled the ball back to Alvarez, who capitalized on the opportunity. The Argentinian striker unleashed a powerful shot, scoring his second UCL goal of the campaign and giving his team the advantage.

The hosts thought all was well, but Union Saint-Gilloise pulled one back seven minutes later. Sofiane Boufal delivered a free-kick from out wide, which Ross Sykes headed home at the back post, keeping his team's hopes alive.

Atleti held their nerve despite the setback and ensured the win in stoppage time. Marcos Llorente sealed the victory with a composed finish when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, securing three crucial points for the hosts. The win takes Atleti's tally to six points after four games, while Union Saint-Gilloise remain on three points, still searching for their second win in the competition.