Atlético Madrid Takes Early Lead to Beat Liverpool

MADRID — Atlético Madrid scored early and then defended well to beat Liverpool, 1-0, in the first leg of the Champions League’s round of 16 on Tuesday, spoiling the reigning champion’s return to the place where it had won the European title last year.

Midfielder Saúl Ñíguez netted in the fourth minute, and Atlético’s defense successfully held off Liverpool’s powerful attack to give Coach Diego Simeone’s team the edge going into the second leg on March 11 in England.

It was at Atlético’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium that Liverpool defeated Tottenham, 2-0, last June to lift its fifth Champions League trophy. Tuesday’s lineup was nearly identical for Liverpool, with defender Joe Gomez the only player who did not start in last year’s final.

Atlético, enduring one of its worst stretches under Simeone, came in as a heavy underdog against the thriving European champions.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/sports/soccer/atletico-madrid-liverpool-champions-league.html