Dortmund’s second half comeback falls short as Atletico prevail at home

Atletico Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 1

Atletico Madrid struck twice in a dominant first half but had to survive a late fightback from Borussia Dortmund before earning a 2-1 win in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

The Spaniards, looking for their first semi-final spot in seven years, put the visitors on the back foot with a frenetic high-pressing game and it paid off after four minutes with Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel delaying a pass to Ian Maatsen and Rodrigo De Paul intercepting it to slot in.

Dortmund struggled to get the ball out of their half and another defensive error allowed Samuel Lino, who will miss the return leg next week after being booked, to double their lead in the 32nd.

Lino thought he had scored again at the far post in the 75th but Kobel spectacularly palmed his point-blank effort wide before Sebastien Haller cut the deficit six minutes later to improve the Germans’ odds going into next Tuesday’s return leg. The Germans twice hit the woodwork late in the game.

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