Atletico Madrid 2-1 RB Leipzig: Atletico bag late winner to complete comeback against Leipzig

Atletico Madrid, seasoned participants in the UEFA Champions League, commenced their 12th consecutive season in the tournament with a thrilling 2-1 triumph over RB Leipzig, thereby preserving their remarkable 28-year unbeaten streak at home against German teams.

Given that no visiting team had managed to secure a victory at the Metropolitano Stadium during the previous two UCL seasons, Leipzig's early lead came as a surprise.

The counterattack was initiated and concluded by Benjamin Sesko, who assisted Loïs Openda's attempt before swiftly reacting to Jan Oblak’s save, heading in the rebound ahead of Robin Le Normand.

Atletico aimed to respond promptly, and they were fortunate not to equalize when Rodrigo Riquelme broke through, as a superb block from Willi Orban prevented Antoine Griezmann from leveling the score.

Angel Correa then flicked the ball towards the far post from a corner, but the Colchoneros fans did not have to wait long for the equalizer, which came from a well-known source.

Marcos Llorente delivered a cross from the right, finding Griezmann unmarked in the center of the box, who deftly directed the ball into the top of the net.

This goal elevated him above the legendary Ferenc Puskas as the 20th all-time leading scorer in European football’s premier club competition, and shortly after the restart, the Frenchman aimed for another but shot over the bar.

The match settled into a more cautious rhythm following that opportunity, with both teams reluctant to concede ground, prompting both managers to introduce substitutions aimed at revitalizing their attacking strategies.

Former Leipzig player Alexander Sorloth then directed a header straight at Peter Gulacsi, while Yussuf Poulsen narrowly missed the target with a glance.

The visitors opted to defend their point, thereafter, inviting a frantic late surge from their opponents, which ultimately led to a dramatic conclusion.

In the 90th minute, Griezmann delivered one of the numerous crosses into the box, allowing Jose Maria Gimenez to leap above Nicolas Seiwald at the far post, directing a header across the goal and into the far corner.

Diego Simeone seized the moment to dash down the touchline, celebrating a gratifying comeback win; however, there remains considerable football ahead before his team can contemplate progressing beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.