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 today, 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 their debut in the Champions League.
The second leg takes place on Wednesday 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. They played better in the second half than the first but still couldn’t create any significant danger to the Atletico defence.
Today’s win extended Atletico’s unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches. They have conceded only two goals in their last eight games.
Atletico has won 29 of their last 35 games in European competitions at the Vicente Calderon.
It was the second consecutive loss for Leicester, who have 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 Monday, when several regular starters were rested.
Atletico lost last year’s Champions League final in a penalty shootout against Madrid. They also fell to the city rival in the final three seasons ago, and was eliminated by Madrid in the quarterfinals in 2014-15.