Johnny Cardoso’s run in the Atletico Madrid starting lineup continued on Tuesday with the American midfielder helping the Spanish club to a vital UEFA Champions League victory.
Cardoso made his fourth-consecutive start as Diego Simeone’s men edged Manchester United 2-0 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. It also marked Cardoso’s third straight match in which he played the full 90 minutes.
Pablo Barrios gave the hosts an early 1-0 lead after scoring in the opening minute and putting Manchester United under early disarray.
Cardoso looked to have doubled Atletico Madrid’s advantage before the break but had his goal waived off by VAR due to a foul on the play.
Manchester United’s comeback hopes took a major blow after the hour mark when defender Leny Yoro was sent off after receiving a straight red card.
Atletico Madrid took advantage with 11 minutes to play as Ademola Lookman pounced on a rebound in the box to ice the eventual home victory.
Cardoso completed 91% of his passes (59/65), drew two fouls, won three duels, and made two interceptions. It was his seventh appearance of the season in all competitions.
“He’s in a very good moment,” Simeone said postmatch to reporters regarding Cardoso. “In the game against Real Sociedad, he came on, and he began to play at a high level. We need that player, that’s the player the club went to sign.”
The result was Atletico’s fifth-straight win and a bounce-back result in UCL play after losing 2-1 to Liverpool in early-September.
Atletico Madrid will hit the road its next two matches, starting with a trip to Espanyol in La Liga action on October 17.
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