September 19, (THEWILL) – Atletico Madrid staged a dramatic comeback to defeat RB Leipzig 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League opener on Thursday. The Spanish side scored a last-minute winner through Jose Maria Gimenez to clinch victory at home.
Leipzig took an early lead when Benjamin Sesko headed in after just four minutes. However, Atletico equalised before half-time thanks to a well-taken finish from Antoine Griezmann. The match looked destined for a draw until Gimenez rose to head home Griezmann’s chipped cross in the 90th minute.
The result ended Leipzig’s 17-game unbeaten run stretching back to February. It also gave Atletico revenge for their 2020 UCL quarter-final defeat to the German club. Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi was left helpless as Gimenez’s header looped into the far corner.
Atletico weathered early pressure, with Sesko nearly scoring again and Xavi Simons going close for Leipzig. The hosts improved as the first half progressed, with Angel Correa having a header cleared off the line before Griezmann levelled. Leipzig pushed for a winner late on but Simons fired over and Yussuf Poulsen headed wide.
The defeat leaves Leipzig facing a tough UCL campaign, with home games against Juventus and Liverpool to come in October. Atletico will hope their dramatic victory provides momentum for their European and domestic seasons under long-serving manager Diego Simeone.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.