Atlético Madrid Pay Tribute to Koke’s Mother Before Manchester United Win
Atlético Madrid marked a deeply difficult evening at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano with tributes to Ana Merodio Borja, the mother of club captain Koke and Juvenil A assistant coach Borja Resurrección, before beating 10-man Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League.
Tributes at the Metropolitano
Ana Merodio Borja died in Madrid on Tuesday morning, the day of Atlético’s European fixture. Koke withdrew from the first-team squad as his family received condolences from across the club and from Manchester United.
UEFA approved Atlético’s request to hold commemorations before both the senior Champions League match and the UEFA Youth League fixture. The measures were observed at the stadium throughout the day.
- A minute of silence was held before each match.
- Atlético and Manchester United players wore black armbands.
- The red-and-white flag at the Metropolitano was lowered to half-mast.
- Atlético’s youth side won their UEFA Youth League match 3-0.
United asked their travelling supporters to take part in the pre-match silence alongside the home crowd, offering sympathy to Koke, Borja Resurrección and their family.
Atlético strike early against United
Once play began, Atlético made an immediate impact. Pablo Barrios scored after only 50 seconds to put the home side ahead, giving Manchester United little time to settle into the contest.
United’s prospects worsened when Leny Yoro was dismissed, leaving Michael Carrick’s team a man short. Atlético protected their advantage and then secured the result in the second half, when Ademola Lookman scored the second goal of the night.
| Match detail | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Champions League | Atlético Madrid 2-0 Manchester United |
| First goal | Pablo Barrios, 50 seconds |
| Second goal | Ademola Lookman, second half |
| Manchester United red card | Leny Yoro |
United’s difficult run continues
The defeat extended United’s sequence without a win to five matches in all competitions. It added to the pressure on Carrick during a season that has already brought the club’s poorest opening to a top-flight league campaign in 40 years.
United have collected six points from their first six Premier League games. Earlier European and pre-season results — including a 4-0 victory against Sabah and a 2-1 pre-season win over Atlético — have offered little relief amid the current downturn.
Focus returns to recovery
For Atlético, the result came on an emotional day in which the club’s attention was firmly with its captain and his family. The players and staff honoured Ana Merodio Borja before delivering a controlled home victory in Europe.
United, meanwhile, must find a swift response as Carrick looks to halt a five-match winless spell and improve a start that has left his squad facing mounting scrutiny.
