Saul Niguez scored the only goal of the match, as Atletico won 1-0 against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal on Wednesday at Vicente Calderon.
There was hardly any thing to chose between the two sides, but the game was won and lost due to one moment of sheer individual brilliance from Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez.
Saul picked up the ball from outside the centre of the pitch and kept going with a mazy run, bamboozling three-four players in the way, evading them with sublime pieces of skill, before curling the ball past the outstretched arms of Manuel Neuer. It’s almost Messi-esque.
Without taking any credit away from Saul, one would feel that Bayern midfielders were too slow to react. Saul breezed past Thiago so easily, and by the time Alonso tried to put in a tackle, it was already late.
It is indeed a brilliant solo effort and to score like that on a big stage makes it all the more special. Check out his sharp turn, and the superb finish, as he rips Bayern defence apart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeJKOAU2uN8
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