Manchester United reached the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals for the first time after easing past Atletico Madrid with a 2-0 second leg win to progress 5-0 on aggregate.
United, who have now won eight games in a row in all competitions, face Bayern Munich in the next round after brushing Atletico aside with a ruthless performance at Leigh Sports Village.
Jess Park's dipping long-range strike just before the break put the tie beyond doubt after Julia Zigiotti Olme's 28th-minute opener had punished Atletico's early profligacy.
Trailing 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg, Atletico made a fast start and should have pulled a goal back early on but central defender Lauren headed over from point-blank range in the first of many missed chances.
Frustration told late on for Atletico as Xenia Perez was sent off after receiving two bookings in 10 minutes.
Marc Skinner's side, missing a number of key players due to injury and illness, were able to navigate their way past Atletico without any problem despite having just four outfield players on the bench.
All four of those players came on, including 17-year-old debutant Jess Anderson, who had not been part of a matchday squad before this game.
In their first Champions League run, United march into the quarter-finals and face the German champions over two legs on March 24/25 and April 1/2. They join holders Arsenal and Chelsea as one of three WSL clubs in the last eight.
Man Utd head coach Marc Skinner to ESPN:
"We have made history for the club again. It sets up a mouth-watering tie potentially at Allianz and potentially at Man Utd.
"Atletico weren't ruthless enough in the finishing phase. They created spaces but didn't finish. We were ruthless at both ends and that's why we go through 5-0.
"It's been brutal the last block of games we've had loads of knocks and illness. To produce a 2-0 win against Atletico Madrid shows the character.
"You have to have a special character to play for Man Utd and even tonight Ziggy wasn't feeling great which is why I took her off at half-time. But to come in and score the goal shows the character.
"That's what we have in abundance. We have this spirit that no other team has."
Man Utd goalscorer Jess Park to ESPN:
"It feels amazing. We've made history again with this team and we are going from strength to strength.
"We want to have fun on the pitch at the highest level and you can see that we are all smiling. This is a special group of girls and I am happy to be part of it.
"It is going to be a tough game [against Bayern Munich] but we are ready to take it on."
More to follow.
