Atletico Madrid took a huge advantage in its heavyweight Champions League (CL) last-16 tie against Juventus, earning a 2-0 home win, thanks to late goals from Uruguayan defenders Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin.
Celebrates with the home fans after netting the second goal against Juventus
Madrid:
The veteran defender appeared at the near post to knock a loose ball into the net, with the shot deflecting off Cristiano Ronaldo on its way in. Portuguese Ronaldo tested Atletico keeper Jan Oblak early on with a scorching free-kick. As his side chased an away goal in stoppage time, he headed over the bar, prompting gleeful whistles from the home supporters at a raucous Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, which will host the CL final in June.
Earlier, the host made a timid start and its best moment before the interval was when a bursting run from Diego Costa drew a foul. The referee initially awarded a penalty, but after VAR intervention, it was reduced to a free-kick.
The victor will be without Costa and midfielder Thomas Partey, who are suspended for the second leg on March 12, along with Juve’s Alex Sandro.
Ronaldo reminds opponent of CL haul
Cristiano Ronaldo was singled out by Atletico Madrid fans, but the former Real Madrid forward was quick to point out his stellar record in the competition. “I won five Champions Leagues and these guys zero,” Ronaldo told reporters after the game, holding up his hand in the shape of a ‘zero’ to drive home his point. The Portuguese forward was jeered throughout the match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. He responded to the taunts by holding up five fingers to indicate the number of times he had won the competition, four times with arch-rival Real and once with Manchester United. Atletico has reached the final of Europe’s elite club competition three times, but never lifted the trophy. It lost to Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
Gimenez slid to the floor in a crowded penalty box to bundle the ball into the net from close range in the 78th minute, after former Juve forward Alvaro Morata had a goal ruled out following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Atletico also had a penalty taken away by the technology earlier in the game, but only grew in determination. Captain Godin grabbed a second goal in the 83rd minute to give his side a two-goal cushion.
The veteran defender appeared at the near post to knock a loose ball into the net, with the shot deflecting off Cristiano Ronaldo on its way in. Portuguese Ronaldo tested Atletico keeper Jan Oblak early on with a scorching free-kick. As his side chased an away goal in stoppage time, he headed over the bar, prompting gleeful whistles from the home supporters at a raucous Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, which will host the CL final in June.
Earlier, the host made a timid start and its best moment before the interval was when a bursting run from Diego Costa drew a foul. The referee initially awarded a penalty, but after VAR intervention, it was reduced to a free-kick.
The victor will be without Costa and midfielder Thomas Partey, who are suspended for the second leg on March 12, along with Juve’s Alex Sandro.
Ronaldo reminds opponent of CL haul
Cristiano Ronaldo was singled out by Atletico Madrid fans, but the former Real Madrid forward was quick to point out his stellar record in the competition. “I won five Champions Leagues and these guys zero,” Ronaldo told reporters after the game, holding up his hand in the shape of a ‘zero’ to drive home his point. The Portuguese forward was jeered throughout the match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. He responded to the taunts by holding up five fingers to indicate the number of times he had won the competition, four times with arch-rival Real and once with Manchester United. Atletico has reached the final of Europe’s elite club competition three times, but never lifted the trophy. It lost to Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.