Antoine Griezmann’s first-half penalty gave Atletico Madrid a narrow 1-0 lead in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Leicester City on Wednesday.
Leicester were without captain Wes Morgan, who was struggling with a back problem, while Sime Vrsaljko and Kevin Gameiro remained Atleti’s only absentees.
The post denied Koke’s thunderous shot from Atleti going an early goal up, before Griezmann turned Wilfred Ndidi and blasted one just over.
Atleti then broke away from a Leicester corner through Grizi, who drove down the left and was barged over by Marc Albrighton right on the edge of the Foxes’ box.
The referee proceeded to give the penalty, which the Frenchman converted, sending Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way.
Leicester dropped Ndidi deeper in the second half as they looked to keep the deficit at 1-0.
It meant they failed to register an attempt on target in the match, although a long throw eventually fell to Robert Huth, whose close-range shot was blocked in nick of time.
Fernando Torres missed a glorious chance to double Los Colchoneros’ advantage. The striker slipped just before pulling the trigger in a one-on-one with Schmeichel.
Yohan Benalouane followed up by making a crucial intervention. Juanfran’s cross would’ve resulted in a Griezmann tap-in, had Morgan’s deputy not intervened.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Leicester City
Griezmann pen 28
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Filipe; Gabi, Koke, Saul, Carrasco (Correa 65); Griezmann, Torres (Thomas 75)
Leicester City: Schmeichel; Simpson, Benalouane, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Ndidi, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Okazaki (King 46); Vardy (Slimani 77)
Referee: Eriksson (SWE)
