Atletico Madrid showcased dominance and secured their place atop Group E in the Champions League by claiming a decisive 2-0 victory against Lazio on Wednesday. The match witnessed Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino scoring a goal each, contributing to Atletico’s impressive 20th consecutive home win across all competitions, a record previously achieved back in 2013.
The Metropolitano stadium buzzed with enthusiasm as Atletico Madrid sealed their top spot in Group E with an impressive 14 points, establishing a four-point lead over second-place Lazio. Meanwhile, in the other group clash, last-place Celtic clinched a 2-1 win against third-place Feyenoord.
Both Atletico Madrid and Lazio had already secured their spots in the knockout stage, but the desire to clinch the group’s top position fueled an intense battle on the field. Notably, a draw would have sufficed for Atletico Madrid to secure first place, ensuring a seeded spot and avoiding other group winners in the next round.
This victory marked Atletico Madrid’s return to clinching the top spot in the group since the 2016-17 season. For Diego Simeone’s squad, this win stands as a significant achievement, especially after last season’s unexpected group stage elimination, a rare occurrence in their otherwise consistent record.
Lazio, eager to clinch the group’s top position for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, faced a formidable Atletico Madrid side that was in top form. The opening goal came from a skillful setup by Lino, allowing Griezmann to fire a low shot near the penalty spot, setting the tone for Atletico’s dominance early in the match. Lino himself doubled the lead with a sublime right-footed strike into the top corner in the 51st minute.
Post-match, Lino emphasized the significance of finishing first, expressing, “It was important to finish first as it will give us the advantage of playing the return match at home. It’s different when we play here, our fans motivate us to play great matches.”
Atletico Madrid’s remarkable run of 20 consecutive home wins spans back to their 1-1 draw against Getafe in the Spanish league last February. This feat, reminiscent of their previous record, underscores the team’s unwavering strength on home turf under Simeone’s leadership.
Impressively, Atletico Madrid stands among the select few, alongside Aston Villa and Liverpool in the Premier League, to have clinched all home games this season. Their six-group game tally of 17 goals surpasses their previous best, setting the stage for an enthralling journey in this season’s Champions League.
With a disallowed goal near the end of the first half, Atletico Madrid’s commanding performance was almost embellished further, emphasizing their sheer dominance throughout the game.
Atletico Madrid’s stellar performance not only secures their top spot in the group but also sets a formidable tone for their knockout stage ambitions, reaffirming their prowess as a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.
