In a dramatic encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over RB Leipzig in their opening Champions League clash. The German side started brightly, taking the lead just four minutes into the match through a well-taken header from Benjamin Sesko. The young Slovenian striker capitalized on a loose ball in the box after a blocked shot, finding the back of the net from close range.
Leipzig almost doubled their lead shortly after, but a Xavi Simons free-kick narrowly missed the target. The visitors continued to press, with their early dominance keeping Atletico on the back foot. However, the Spanish side gradually found their rhythm and began to create chances of their own.
A loud and passionate home crowd fueled the comeback as Atletico pushed for an equalizer. Angel Correa came close in the first half, but his header was not deemed to have crossed the line. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, when Antoine Griezmann, a key player in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, slotted home a composed finish from inside the penalty area.
The second half saw a tense and hard-fought battle unfold. Leipzig missed opportunities to regain the lead, with Simons hitting over the bar and Yussuf Poulsen heading wide. But the dramatic conclusion was still to come.
With time ticking down, Griezmann, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, chipped the ball towards the goal from the edge of the box. In a moment of brilliance, Jose Maria Gimenez rose high above the Leipzig defense, heading the ball back across goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi and into the net.
The late goal sent the home crowd into raptures, as Atletico snatched a dramatic victory in the dying moments. This win will be a massive boost for Diego Simeone’s side, as they look to make a strong run in this season’s Champions League.
The defeat, Leipzig’s first in 17 games across all competitions since February, will serve as a wake-up call for the German outfit. Their upcoming group stage matches against Juventus and Liverpool will be difficult, and they will need to learn from their mistakes and improve their defensive organization if they are to challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.
