Football

Atletico Madrid 2-1 RB Leipzig: Jose Maria Gimenez’s Late Header Secures Dramatic Victory - In Pics

A late header from defender Jose Maria Gimenez was enough to give Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig in the opener of their Champions League campaign. The Germans stunned Atletico at the Commerzbank Arena by taking an early lead, a fourth-minute header from striker Benjamin Sesko following a quick counter-attack. But, however, Antoine Griezmann levelled the score with a brilliant volley into the top corner in the 28th minute. Atletico completely dominated the match with 20 shots to the goal and only won in the 90th minute of the game when Gimenez headed the cross given by Griezmann into the back of the net. Griezmann, as in this match, became the alchemist of Atletico converting into goals and assists, together with creating three chances, and winning all his aerial duels, recovered the ball eight times.

UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid players celebrate at the end of the match | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

Atletico Madrid players celebrate at the end of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid. Atletico Madrid won 2-1.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids Antoine Griezmann, center, with teammates at the end of the match
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, center, with teammates at the end of the match | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, center, with teammates at the end of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids Jose Gimenez heads the ball to score his teams second goal
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez heads the ball to score his team's second goal | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez, center, heads the ball to score his team's second goal past Leipzig's goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids head coach Diego Simeone, right, gives instructions
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, right, gives instructions | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, right, gives instructions during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing a chance
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing a chance | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing a chance during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids Rodrigo Riquelme, left, vies for the ball with Leipzigs Benjamin Sesko
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo Riquelme, left, vies for the ball with Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo Riquelme, left, vies for the ball with Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Leipzigs Xavi Simons, second right, vies for the ball with Atletico Madrids Marcos Llorente
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Leipzig's Xavi Simons, second right, vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Leipzig's Xavi Simons, second right, vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids Antoine Griezmann, right, celebrates after scoring his sides first goal
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrids Rodrigo De Paul, right, runs with the ball with Leipzigs David Raum
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo De Paul, right, runs with the ball with Leipzig's David Raum | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo De Paul, right, runs with the ball with Leipzig's David Raum during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Leipzigs Benjamin Sesko, left, vies for the ball with Atletico Madrids Robin Le Normand
UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid: Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, left, vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Robin Le Normand | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, left, vies for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Robin Le Normand during to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig at the Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid.