Reigning champions Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, gaining the upper hand ahead of the return leg.
Rodrygo gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side an early lead just four minutes into the match, but Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico in the 32nd minute. In the second half, Brahim Diaz restored Madrid’s advantage with a brilliant piece of skill.
Madrid made a flying start, breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute. Valverde caught Galan off guard with a precise pass to Rodrygo, who outpaced the Atletico defender, cut inside from the right wing, and fired a well-placed left-footed shot into the net. Two minutes later, Rodrygo once again beat Galan for pace and was brought down inside the area by the defender, according to Real Madrid reports.
In the 22nd minute, Vini Jr. tested Oblak with a shot from the edge of the box, while Rodrygo nearly beat the Atletico goalkeeper with a free kick in the 30th minute. Atletico, however, found their equalizer in the 32nd minute when Alvarez’s angled strike from the edge of the area flew past Courtois. The teams went into halftime level at 1-1.
The second half remained evenly contested until the 55th minute when Brahim produced a moment of brilliance to restore Madrid’s lead. Surrounded by defenders inside the box, he shifted his feet swiftly and found a gap to send a precise right-footed shot past Oblak into the bottom corner, making it 2-1 for Madrid.
Atletico responded quickly, and five minutes later, they nearly equalized when Griezmann’s cross-shot forced a fine save from Courtois.
The decisive second leg will take place on March 12 at the Metropolitano.
IANS
