Atlético Madrid got their Champions League campaign back on track with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over a resilient Union Saint-Gilloise at the Metropolitano on Tuesday.
After a humbling 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in their previous European outing, Diego Simeone’s side secured a crucial three points thanks to goals from Julián Álvarez, Conor Gallagher, and a late clincher from Marcos Llorente.
A Nervy Finish Secured by Late Strike
The home side seemed to be cruising after establishing a two-goal lead, but the Belgian visitors refused to go down quietly. Atlético took control just before half-time when Julián Álvarez fired home his ninth goal of the season after a clever setup from Giuliano Simeone.
The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time through Antoine Griezmann, but a VAR review correctly ruled the effort out for offside.
Union Saint-Gilloise grew into the game after the break and missed a golden chance to equalize before Atlético struck again. A rapid counter-attack led by Alexander Sørloth eventually fell to Conor Gallagher, who smashed a superb finish into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Just as Atlético looked to be seeing the game out, former Accrington defender Ross Sykes headed home at the back post in the 80th minute to set up a tense finale. However, any hopes of a dramatic comeback were extinguished in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Marcos Llorente powered forward and unleashed a decisive strike to seal the win.
A Much-Needed Response
The victory provides a significant morale boost for Simeone’s squad, marking a strong response to their heavy loss against Arsenal. The result lifts Atlético to six points from their first four games in the new league phase of the Champions League, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a knockout stage berth.
While the performance was not always fluid, it showcased the characteristic resilience and fighting spirit synonymous with a Simeone team, ultimately proving enough to see off a dangerous and organized Union Saint-Gilloise side.
