UEFA Champions League League Stage - 4
Atletico Madrid 3 - 1 FT Union St. Gilloise
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
26' ↓ R. Le Normand ↑J. M. Gimenez
39' J. Alvarez (G. Simeone)
45'+3 Antoine Griezmann
HT
↓ R. Schoofs ↑P. David 60'
62' ↓ A. Baena ↑C. Gallagher
62' ↓ A. Griezmann ↑A. Sorloth
62' ↓ Koke ↑T. Almada
Ousseynou Niang 66'
68' Nahuel Molina
72' C. Gallagher
↓ K. Van De Perre ↑M. Rasmussen 74'
↓ K. Rodriguez ↑M. Giger 74'
↓ A. Ait El Hadj ↑S. Boufal 74'
R. Sykes (S. Boufal) 80'
↓ A. Khalaili ↑L. Patris 85'
88' ↓ G. Simeone ↑M. Llorente
90' M. Llorente (T. Almada)
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Atletico Madrid
Goalkeepers
J. Oblak 
PROVOCATEUR
2
fouls won
2
fouls won
2
Duels Won
0
pens won
Defenders
N. Molina 
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
56%
pass acc
6.5
rating
R. Le Normand
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Hancko 
MAGNET
92
activity
92
activity
83
passes
9
duels
M. Ruggeri
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
52%
pass acc
6.3
rating
Midfielders
G. Simeone 
PROVIDER
1
assists
1
assists
1
key passes
6.7
rating
P. Barrios
MAGNET
93
activity
93
activity
81
passes
12
duels
Koke
MAGNET
76
activity
76
activity
68
passes
8
duels
A. Baena 
ARCHITECT
3
key passes
3
key passes
0
assists
38%
pass acc
Forwards
A. Griezmann
NPC
62
minutes
62
minutes
33%
pass acc
6.9
rating
J. Alvarez 
FINISHER
1
goals
1
goals
3
shots
7.9
rating
BENCH
S. Esquivel 
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
J. M. Gimenez 
SWEEPER
4
cleanups
4
cleanups
3
interceptions
1
blocks
C. Lenglet 
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
M. Pubill
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
J. Galan
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
C. Gallagher 
SUPER SUB
0
impact
0
impact
28
minutes
7.6
rating
J. Cardoso
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
T. Almada
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Llorente 
CLUTCH HERO
0
goal time
0
goal time
0
impact
7
rating
A. Sorloth
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Raspadori
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
C. Martin
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
Union St. Gilloise
Goalkeepers
K. Scherpen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
K. Mac Allister
ARCHITECT
2
key passes
2
key passes
0
assists
35%
pass acc
C. Burgess
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
32%
pass acc
6.9
rating
R. Sykes 
SNIPER
100%
conversion
100%
conversion
1
goals
1
shots
Midfielders
A. Khalaili 
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
5
tackles
80%
duel win %
A. Zorgane
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
2
tackles
50%
duel win %
K. Van De Perre
NPC
74
minutes
74
minutes
23%
pass acc
6.7
rating
R. Schoofs
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
O. Niang
NPC
90
minutes
90
minutes
9%
pass acc
6.2
rating
Forwards
A. Ait El Hadj
NPC
74
minutes
74
minutes
13%
pass acc
6.9
rating
K. Rodriguez
WALL
0
dribbled past
0
dribbled past
1
tackles
63%
duel win %
BENCH
V. Chambaere
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
M. T. Barry
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
L. Patris 
STORMTROOPER
1
shots
1
shots
0
goals
1
on target
F. Leysen
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
M. Rasmussen
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Guilherme Smith
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
P. David
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Giger
SWEEPER
1
cleanups
1
cleanups
1
interceptions
0
blocks
S. Boufal
SUPER SUB
0
impact
0
impact
16
minutes
7.2
rating
R. Florucz
CAMEO
0
minutes
0
minutes
0
touches
None
events
League Standings
P: 4 GD: +11
P: 4 GD: +11
P: 4 GD: +10
P: 4 GD: +7
P: 4 GD: +9
P: 4 GD: +8
P: 4 GD: +6
P: 4 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +5
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 4 GD: +3
P: 4 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: +2
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 4 GD: -3
P: 4 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -2
P: 4 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -5
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 4 GD: -1
P: 4 GD: -5
P: 4 GD: -8
P: 4 GD: -3
P: 4 GD: -6
P: 4 GD: -7
P: 4 GD: -4
P: 4 GD: -8
P: 4 GD: -9
P: 4 GD: -6
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Atlético Madrid Edges Past Union St. Gilloise in Chaotic Champions League Encounter
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 55/100. This was a match where dominance met defiance—Atlético controlled the narrative but Union St. Gilloise refused to surrender, turning what should have been a rout into a genuine test of nerve at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Álvarez Breaks the Deadlock as Atlético Assert Early Control
Atlético Madrid arrived in Riyadh intent on imposing their will, and Julián Álvarez delivered the opening statement in the 39th minute. The Argentine's clinical finish, set up by Giménez, gave Los Colchoneros the foothold they craved. Yet the intensity of the opening period masked what would become a fractured second half. With 67% possession and 14 shots, Atlético's superiority on the pitch was undeniable, but Union St. Gilloise's goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen emerged as an unlikely hero—his three crucial saves kept the visitors within striking distance when they could have been buried.
VAR Denies Griezmann, Then Gallagher Delivers the Knockout
Just as Atlético seemed poised to extend their advantage before halftime, Antoine Griezmann's 45th-minute goal was erased by VAR—a cruel blow that shifted the psychological balance. The intervention proved pivotal. Rather than heading into the break with a two-goal cushion, Atlético faced a resurgent Union St. Gilloise. The second half exploded into life when Conor Gallagher, introduced from the bench, crashed home in the 72nd minute to restore breathing room. By the 90th minute, Marcos Llorente's finish sealed the result, but not before R. Sykes had pulled one back in the 80th, courtesy of Sofiane Boufal's assist, to remind everyone that stakes remained alive.
Union St. Gilloise's Resistance Fades but Leaves Mark
Union St. Gilloise's defensive discipline—13 fouls and three yellow cards—told the story of a team fighting for survival. They mustered just eight shots and 33% possession, yet their willingness to engage in a physical battle earned respect. Upset factor flickered briefly when Sykes' goal made it 3-1, but Atlético's experience and superior technical execution proved decisive. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano witnessed a controlled demolition dressed up as a contest: Atlético's 89% pass accuracy and xG of 2.30 versus Union's 1.11 confirmed the gulf in class. Three points secured, but the VAR controversy and late jitters suggest Atlético's Champions League campaign remains a work in progress.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
Griezmann's disallowed goal in the 45th minute denied Atlético a two-goal halftime lead, psychologically boosting Union and forcing a tighter second half than the stats suggest.
Who was Union St. Gilloise's standout player?
Scherpen's three saves kept Union competitive despite relentless Atlético pressure, proving crucial to their survival until the final whistle.
What does this result mean for Atlético's campaign?
Three points move Atlético to 9 points (4 games), but defensive lapses and VAR drama suggest their European ambitions face stiffer tests ahead.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Survival Stakes at the Metropolitano
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 27/100. Atletico Madrid looks to cement a direct path to the knockouts, while Union St. Gilloise must avoid a fourth defeat in five to keep their European dream alive.
The Setup
As we reach the heart of the league stage on November 04, 2025, the gap between the elite and the chasing pack is widening. Atletico Madrid enters this fixture sitting in 8th place, currently holding the final spot for direct qualification to the Round of 16. Their Form has been largely impressive, securing four wins from six matches, though a recent slip-up shows they aren't invincible. Conversely, Union St. Gilloise finds themselves in 27th, languishing below the playoff line. For the Belgian visitors, the Stakes couldn't be higher; they are effectively fighting for their lives in this competition after a string of three losses in their last four outings. The atmosphere at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano will be tense as both sides look to stabilize their continental Balance.
Key Battle
The match will likely be decided by the interaction between Atletico’s clinical home midfield and Union’s fragmented defensive unit. Without individual Stars dominating the narrative, the collective discipline of the Spanish side should overwhelm a visiting backline that has conceded 15 goals already this season. Union St. Gilloise will need to find a way to disrupt the rhythm of the home side's passing lanes, or they risk being picked apart by a team that thrives on territorial control.
Our Prediction
Expect Atletico Madrid to dictate the tempo from the opening whistle. The home side’s tactical superiority and European experience should allow them to break down a stubborn, yet vulnerable, Union defense. While the visitors may attempt to play on the counter, the lack of quality in their final third suggests a scoreless night for the Belgians. A professional 2-0 victory for the hosts seems the most plausible outcome, keeping them firmly in the top-8 conversation.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only if you enjoy watching a tactical masterclass in defensive dismantling by a superior home side.
What's the predicted outcome?
A comfortable 2-0 win for Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Where are Atletico Madrid and Union St. Gilloise in the league table?
Atletico sits in 8th (direct qualification), while Union St. Gilloise is struggling in 27th place.
What is Atletico Madrid's current form?
Very strong, with four wins in their last five matches across the competition.
What does this mean for relegation?
In this UCL format, a loss for Union likely ends their hopes of reaching the playoffs.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.