Madrid gets first-leg win

MADRID Antoine Griezmann converted a first-half penalty kick to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Leicester in their first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, keeping the Spanish club on track to make it to the final for a second straight season.

Griezmann coolly scored from the spot in the 28th minute by sending goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way with a firm strike into the left corner.

The penalty came after Griezmann was clipped by Leicester defender Marc Albrighton after making a long run down the left flank. Griezmann appeared to be still outside the area when he was fouled.

“We played a very good game,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. “Maybe we needed to be a bit more aggressive to get a better result, but we have to understand that even after going down a goal our opponent stayed playing tightly on defence. They were clearly looking to take that result to the second match.”

Simeone’s Atletico is trying to reach the semifinals for the third time in four seasons, while Leicester — the shock Premier League winner last season — is looking to make another stunning title run in its debut in the Champions League.

“To come here and still be in the game was the main objective,” Leicester midfielder Andy King said. “We know we are strong at home and I am sure we can cause them problems.”

The second leg takes place Tuesday in England.

Leicester had no attempts on target for the entire game.