An early goal by youngster Saul Niguez gave Atletico Madrid a gritty 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Niguez cleared three defenders before entering the area and hitting a low, well-placed shot into the far corner in the 11th minute. Diego Simeone’s tough defense then took over and Atletico held on for an important victory at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
A draw next week in Germany will be enough for Simeone’s side to reach the final for the second time in the last three seasons.
“It’s still wide open,” Simeone said. “The return game should be just as exciting for everyone watching it. It will be a difficult challenge against a very strong team.”
Pep Guardiola’s Bayern, trying to reach the final for the first time since winning the title in 2013, came close to equalizing with a long-range shot by David Alaba in the 54th, but the ball struck the crossbar with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak already beaten.
Striker Fernando Torres could have increased Atletico’s advantage in the 75th but he also struck the woodwork after a breakaway.
