Skip to content

Niguez stunner hands Atletico slender lead over Bayern

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Madrid - A sensational solo effort from Saul Niguez handed Atletico Madrid a precious 1-0 advantage over Bayern Munich from the first leg of its Champions League semi-final at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

The Spanish Under-21 international skipped past four Bayern players before firing into the far corner to give Atletico the perfect start after 11 minutes.

Bayern dominated for long spells thereafter, but the closest it came to a vital away goal was a thunderous long-range effort from David Alaba that came back off the crossbar.

Atletico will travel to Bavaria for the return next Tuesday looking to complete the job to reach its second final in three years and exact revenge for its defeat to Bayern in the 1974 final.

Bayern lost the first legs of its semi-finals in Spain in the previous two seasons to Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way out of the competition.

And Bayern couldn't have made a worse start once more in the Spanish capital as, roared on by a vociferous support, Atletico flew out of the blocks early on.

Niguez had already had a long-range effort saved by Manuel Neuer before he opened the scoring in stunning style.

Related - Watch: Saul Niguez humiliates Bayern defence with stunning solo goal

The 21-year-old picked the ball up near halfway and skipped past four half-hearted Bayern challenges before curling a left-footed shot in off the inside of the far post.

Atletico nearly gifted Bayern an equaliser immediately as Jose Maria Gimenez's miscued clearance pinballed around the area before the Uruguayan atoned for his initial error by clearing off the line.

Bayern was dominant in possession, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against an Atletico side that now hasn't conceded at home in its last seven Champions League knockout ties.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox