Saul Niguez scored the only goal for the Atletico Madrid and they won against PSV 1-0 at the Phillips Stadium. This is a great situation for Atletico as they recorded their first Champions League victory.
Saul put his team in front with a left-foot shot in the 43rd minute after his right-foot shot had been prevented. Although Saul was the scorer of the only goal, Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak deserves credit because he turned away the penalty taken by the Andres Guardado. Now, Atletico has three points just like Bayern Munich, who beat Rostov 5-0.
PSV did score a goal, but the referee decided that a foul was committed. The players tried to protest, but the decision had already been made. PSV’s six-match winning streak came to an end as Atletico Madrid proved to be too tough for them, again. Last time they won against PSV was in the last 16 phase, in the same competition.
Luuk De Jong scored the goal for PSV from close range early in the game, but the celebration was interrupted by the whistle of the referee.
Hector Moreno committed a foul by jumping on the shoulders of Filipe Luis.
Another questionable decision was in the 14th minute when PSV players expected a penalty after Diego Godin’s start on Luciano Narsingh. The home crowd was frustrated and in disbelief.
Because of Saul’s persistence, Atletico headed to half-time with a 1-0 lead. With his first attempt blocked he stayed with the ball and eventually found the net.
PSV immediately attacked and tried to settle the score before the break. After Jose Gimenez’s sliding tackle on Narsingh, PSV was awarded the penalty which they failed to convert to goal. Guardado’s attempt was good, but the goalkeeper guessed where he was going to shoot.
Atletico Madrid had a chance to increase the lead from 15 yards when Kevin Gameiro shot over the bar in the beginning of the second half.
Later in the game, Antoine Griezmana created another chance for the visitors. He passed the ball to Gameiro, but the striker hit the side net.
The amazing Frenchman scored a goal in the 71st minute, but he went for the ball a little too early so it was offside.
The last chance for PSV was when De Jong tried with a header from the side, but he was unsuccessful. Although he was held by Godin, the referee thought that there was no foul on the play.
Atletico will face Bayern Munich and the PSV will try to win versus Rostov on September 28.
