Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
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 semi-final 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 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
A draw next week in Germany will be enough for Diego Simeone's side to reach the final for the second time in the last three seasons.
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.
BUT WHO WAS THE STAR MAN? RATINGS BELOW...
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Atletico: Jan Oblak: 8 out of 10 Dealt confidently with each and every Bayern attack and never looked in serious danger of being beaten
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Juanfran: 7 out of 10 Put on a masterclass at right-back, containing Costa and forcing him onto his wrong foot as well as getting forward
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Jose Maria Gimenez: 8 out of 10 Impressive all-round showing and mopped up any loose balls and made vital interceptions
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Stefan Savic: 6 out of 10 The man who flopped so badly at Manchester City looked at home in the Atletico backline. Filled in with panache
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Filipe Luis: 7 out of 10 Attacking instincts reigned in as the former Chelsea man played his part in the clean sheet
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Saul Niguez: 8 out of 10 Superb solo effort proved difference and Spanish youngster showed why he is attracting such interest
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Gabi: 7 out of 10 Shut down Bayern midfielders and quick to quell sporadic threats as well as inspiring attacks
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Augusto Fernandez: 7 out of 10 Used size well and kept danger presented by Bayern forwards to a minimum. Strong in the tackle and in the air
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Koke: 7 out of 10 Industrious and hard-working. Sent effort straight at Neuer and caught by Benatia as hosts tried to see game out
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Fernando Torres: 7 out of 10 Led line on his own at times but happy to hold possession and give colleagues a breather. Sent breakaway effort at post
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Antoine Griezmann: 6 out of 10 Went close with close-range effort but kept out by Neuer. Did not see a lot of the ball but played part in seeing out the win
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Bayern: Manuel Neuer: 6 out of 10 German was not overly exerted but unsighted for the only goal of the game. Never overly troubled thereafter
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Philipp Lahm: 6 out of 10 Never able to present the same attacking intent he did in his younger years but always had eye for a pass
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Javi Martinez: 7 out of 10 Just about shaded battle with Atletico front men but wasted chance at other end, sending header straight at Oblak
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings David Alaba: 7 out of 10 Slow to close down Saul for goal but strong showing otherwise, and not afraid to get forward and try his luck
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Juan Bernat: 6 out of 10 One of many to be bamboozled by Saul for goal and struggled to impact upon proceedings greatly
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Xabi Alonso: 7 out of 10 Classy on the ball and cool in possession but deceived by movement of Saul for only goal of the game
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Douglas Costa: 6 out of 10 Lobbed over Neuer and went close with free-kick but not able to use his tricks and flicks to any overall effect
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Thiago Alcantara: 6 out of 10 Playmaker was mainly neutralised here and failed to inspire Bayern to find the away goal
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Arturo Vidal: 7 out of 10 One of the more threatening of the visitors’ players and forced Oblak to get across with powerful cross-shot
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Kinglsey Coman: 7 out of 10 (One of ) the great young hopes of French football buzzed around and threatened sporadically but left frustrated
2016 Getty Images
Atletico Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 0 player ratings Robert Lewandowski: 6 out of 10 Dragged couple of shots wide and offered focal point for Bayern midfield although did not manage to make breakthrough
2016 Getty Images
Striker Fernando Torres could have increased Atletico's advantage in the 75th but he also struck the woodwork after a breakaway.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies