Big win in the first leg, Atletico puts one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals
Atletico Madrid beat Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0 in the first leg of their last 16 tie at home.
Goals: Niguez 22', Costa 47', Koke 90'
After losing to Barca in La Liga, Atletico put all their determination into the Europa League. Coach Diego Simeone used his strongest squad for the match against Lokomotiv, including Saul Niguez, Diego Costa, Antoine Griezmann and Koke.
Atletico fans didn't have to wait long to celebrate the opening goal in the 22nd minute. Niguez scored with a superb long-range shot from 35 meters into the top corner.
Griezmann was unlucky when he had many good chances but failed to score. In the middle of the first half, after a mistake by the opposing goalkeeper Guilherme, the French striker had a chance to shoot into an empty net but his shot went wide. In the 47th minute, Griezmann continued to miss a good opportunity when his volley hit Guilherme's foot in a face-off. Taking advantage of the moment the ball bounced back, Costa shot the rebound to increase the score to 2-0.
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Atletico are the top candidates in this season's Europa League. Photo: Reuters |
Continuing to press the field, Atletico scored the winning goal when the match was about to end. Koke was the one who accurately connected the shot after a cross from the right wing in the 90th minute.
With a big win in the first leg, Atletico has a big advantage. In the second leg next week, the Spanish team can lose by two goals without worrying about losing their ticket to the quarter-finals.