Late goal lifts Real Madrid over Inter; Atleti stymied by Porto
Sports Desk, Sep 15 (EFE).- Real Madrid started their 2021-2022 Champions League campaign Wednesday with a 1-0 victory in Milan over Inter while cross-town rivals Atletico were held 0-0 by Porto in the Spanish capital.
Rodrygo’s goal in the 89th minute at the San Siro put the Blancos level on points with Champions League debutants Sheriff Tiraspol, who are top of Group D on goal difference after surprising Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Colchoneros, meanwhile, trail Liverpool by 2 points in Group D – seen as the toughest foursome – after a frustrating night at the Wanda Metropolitano.
In his first appearance in front of the Atleti faithful since rejoining the club on the final day of the summer transfer window, Antoine Griezmann received a mixed reception when he came on as a sub, reflecting lingering bitterness over his departure in 2019 for Barcelona.
Luis Suarez forced a save from Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 7th minute, seconds before Mehdi Taremi fired wide on a chance for the visitors.
Porto’s Marko Grujic headed just over the cross-bar on a corner in the 15th minute, which turned out to be the last opportunity of the half for either team.
Atleti keeper Jan Oblak got help from the post with a deceptive ball from Otavio in the 52nd minute. At the other end, Costa made a stop against Angel Correa in the 69th.
Taremi appeared to put the visitors ahead in the 80th minute after a disastrous back pass by Renan Lodi, but a VAR review showed that the Porto man accidentally handled the ball and the goal was disallowed.
Five minutes into stoppage time, Chancel Mbemba brought down an onrushing Griezmann at the edge of the area and was shown a red card.
Suarez took the free kick, which went agonizingly close before skipping over the cross-bar.
In Milan, Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois denied Edin Dzeko on three occasions and Lautaro Martinez once to keep the contest scoreless until Rodrygo won it for the visitors, assisted by summer signing Eduardo Camavinga. EFE
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