Atletico Madrid struck late to claim a deserved 2-0 victory over Juventus in what was an incident-packed first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Close range efforts from Jose Maria Giménez and Diego Godin inside the last 12 minutes did the damage as Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the Spanish capital ended in disappointment.
Diego Simeone's men had looked set to lament the intervention of VAR after Diego Costa saw a first-half penalty award overturned before substitute Alvaro Morata had a goal disallowed for a push.
Atletico Madrid's Spanish forward Alvaro Morata (C) heads the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus FC at the Wanda Metropolitan stadium in Madrid on February 20, 2019.
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The hosts were the better side for long periods and should have led early in the second half, but Costa shot wide when sent clear, while Antoine Griezmann had a delightful lob tipped on to the bar by Wojciech Szczesny.
Atletico will be without Costa and Thomas Partey for the second leg after the duo picked up needless cautions, but there's no doubt it's advantage Los Rojiblancos ahead of their clash in Turin on March 12.
TALKING POINT.
VAR made its mark, but Atletico refused to be denied. UEFA's decision to introduce VAR for the knockout stage was always going to provide plenty of mileage for the opinion piece writers, and this game didn't disappoint. Atletico felt hard done by, but there was a push on Giorgio Chiellini that saw Morata denied a goal against his former club.
Jose Gimenez of Atletico Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 20, 2019 in Madrid, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
The decision to overturn the penalty award after Costa was tripped by Mattia De Sciglio was also spot on, as the foul did take place just outside the area. Simeone's side did not let the drama affect their momentum though, and they got their reward to install themselves as firm favourites to make the last eight.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid). Capped an imperious display at the back with what could be a hugely significant second goal in the context of the tie.
Diego Godin (Atéltico Madrid)
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7, Juanfran 7, Gimenez 8, Godin 8, Luis 8, Thomas Partey 6, Koke 7, Rodri 7, Saul 7, Griezmann 8, Costa 7. Subs: Morata 7, Lemar 6, Correa 6.
Juventus: Szczesny 7, De Sciglio 6, Chiellini 6, Bonucci 6, Sandro 6, Pjanic 7, Matuidi 6, Bentancur 6, Dybala 5, Mandzukic 5, Ronaldo 6. Subs: Can 6, Bernardeschi 6, Cancelo n/a.
KEY MOMENTS
8' - JUVENTUS CHANCE! Ronaldo wins a free kick just over 30 yards out. The forward gets up and forces a splendid stop out of Oblak after Costa was booked for delaying the kick for some shenanigans in the wall. He will now miss the second leg.
28' - VAR DENIES ATLETICO A PENALTY! Drama! The referee points to the spot when De Sciglio catches Costa on the far left side of the penalty area as he surged towards the byline. However, Atletico's joy soon turns sour as replays suggest the foul took place just outside the box, and VAR awards the hosts a free kick instead.
50' - ATLETICO CHANCE! That's a big miss. Costa rampages after Griezmann's sublime touch forward and races in on goal. He holds off Bonucci but drags his shot from just inside the area wide of target with just Szczesny to beat.
Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann (L) challenges Juventus' Italian defender Mattia De Sciglio during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus FC at the Wanda Metropolitan
Image credit: Getty Images
53' - ATLETICO CHANCE! Griezmann latches on to a flick into the area but sees his delightful lob come back off the bar. Szczesny somehow got fingertips on it to turn it on to the woodwork. Superb goalkeeping.
70' - ATLETICO GOAL DISALLOWED BY VAR! WOW! The referee takes a look at the replay of Morata's headed goal from Luis' cross and disallows it for a foul on Chiellini.
78' - GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Juventus. This one stands! A left-wing corner isn't cleared by the visitors and Gimenez is on hand to slam it into the net from seven yards out.
83' - GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Juventus. Godin steers a deflected effort into an unguarded net from a narrow angle on the right after Griezmann's free kick had deflected back into his path.
KEY STATS
Atletico are unbeaten in the Champions League against Italian opposition under manager Diego Simeone (W5 D2), conceding only one goal.
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their past 13 home games in the Champions League knockout stages (W8 D5).
Jan Oblak has kept four consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League for the first time.
Godín and Gimenez scored in the same game for Atletico for the first time in all competitions.
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