Atletico Madrid seized control in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Dortmund, holding off a late fightback to secure a slender 2-1 advantage at Estadio Metropolitano.
Atletico wasted no time in asserting their dominance, as Rodrigo de Paul capitalized on Ian Maatsen’s errant pass in the fourth minute to put the hosts ahead. A defensive lapse moments later allowed Samuel Lino to double Atletico’s lead, capitalizing on Antoine Griezmann’s assist.
Despite Dortmund’s improvement in the latter stages of the first half and after halftime, it was a fantastic save from Atletico’s Gregor Kobel that denied Lino a second goal from close range. However, Dortmund found a lifeline when substitute Sebastien Haller netted a goal to narrow the deficit.
A flurry of late drama ensued, with Mats Hummels denying Angel Correa’s goal-bound effort and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike. Dortmund came agonizingly close to equalizing as Julian Brandt’s header struck the woodwork in the dying moments.
With these late scares survived, Atletico Madrid head into the second leg with a vital advantage, poised to defend their lead at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion next Tuesday.