Atletico Madrid Edge First Leg of Champions League Quarter-Final Tie with 2-1 Win Over Borussia Dortmund
Host Team Claims Advantage in Hard-Fought Quarterfinal
Match Report and Match Highlights
Madrid, Spain – Atletico Madrid took the lead in their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against Borussia Dortmund with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Wednesday.
The hosts took an early lead through Mario Hermoso in the 30th minute, but Julian Brandt equalized for Dortmund just before halftime. However, Antoine Griezmann scored the winner for Atletico in the 84th minute to give his team a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg in Germany.
Atletico started the match brightly and had a number of chances to take the lead in the opening stages. Yannick Carrasco fired wide from close range, while Joao Felix saw a shot saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund gradually grew into the game and began to create chances of their own. Brandt had a shot blocked by Stefan Savic, while Erling Haaland fired over from a promising position.
The breakthrough finally came for Atletico in the 30th minute. Carrasco crossed from the left flank and Hermoso was on hand to head home from close range.
However, Dortmund equalized just before halftime. Brandt received the ball on the edge of the area and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
The second half was a more even affair, with both teams having chances to take the lead. Griezmann had a header saved by Kobel, while Haaland saw another effort blocked.
With just six minutes remaining, Atletico finally got the winner. Griezmann latched onto a loose ball in the area and fired a low shot into the corner.
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