Pro Sports

Griezmann scores from spot as Atletico beats Leicester 1-0

Posted April 12, 2017 7:00 am

By TALES AZZONI

Atletico's Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot the opening goal of the game during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White) The Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - Antoine Griezmann converted a first-half penalty kick to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Leicester in their first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, keeping the Spanish club on track to make it to the final for a second straight season.

Griezmann coolly scored from the spot in the 28th minute by sending goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way with a firm strike into the left corner.

The penalty came after Griezmann was clipped by Leicester defender Marc Albrighton after making a long run down the left flank. Griezmann appeared to be still outside the area when he was fouled.

Diego Simeone's Atletico is trying to reach the semifinals for the third time in four seasons, while Leicester - the shock Premier League winner last season - is looking to make another stunning title run in its debut in the Champions League.

The second leg takes place Tuesday in England.

Atletico was in control from the start at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, creating several scoring chances while restraining Leicester. The hosts had three clear opportunities less than 15 minutes into the match.

Leicester had no attempts on target for the entire game. It played better in the second half than the first but still couldn't create any significant danger to the Atletico defense.

The penalty came as fans were still loudly celebrating the announcement that Bayern Munich had just opened the scoring against city rival Real Madrid in Germany. The defending European champions were able to mount a comeback, though, winning 2-1 with a pair of goals by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Griezmann had already been decisive when he scored a late equalizer against Madrid in the teams' 1-1 draw in the Spanish league over the weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Wednesday's win extended Atletico's unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches. It has conceded only two goals in its last eight games.

Atletico has won 29 of its last 35 games in European competitions at the Vicente Calderon.

It was the second consecutive loss for Leicester, which had been thriving since coach Craig Shakespeare replaced Claudio Ranieri after a struggling start to the season. The English club won six straight games until a league loss at Everton on Sunday, when several regular starters were rested.

Atletico lost last year's Champions League final in a penalty shootout against Madrid. It also fell to the city rival in the final three seasons ago, and was eliminated by Madrid in the quarterfinals in 2014-15.

Leicester eliminated Spanish club Sevilla in this season's Round of 16.

___

More AP Champions League coverage: http://apne.ws/2lgcPZm

___

Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Atletico's Antoine Griezmann, right celebrates with Atletico's Fernando Torres after Griezmann scored from the penalty spot fro the opening goal of the game during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White) The Associated Press

Atletico's Antoine Griezmann, left, scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) The Associated Press

Atletico's Fernando Torres jumps for the ball with Leicester's Yohan Benalouane during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) The Associated Press

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy gestures and appeals to the assistant referee for a corner during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White) The Associated Press

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, top, heads the ball as Atletico's Diego Godin challenges during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White) The Associated Press

Atletico's head coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.