October 20, (THEWILL) – Mohamed Salah made Liverpool history by scoring in his ninth consecutive match, a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid, who had two-goal Antoine Griezmann sent off and a late penalty controversially overturned.
Salah scored inside eight minutes of Tuesday’s tense Champions League tie at Wanda Metropolitano, before Naby Keita volleyed in a second five minutes later as the visitors took complete control.
Atletico had never been two goals down in a Champions League match before, but they rallied before halftime thanks to Griezmann’s double.
Early in the second half, Griezmann was sent off for a high boot on Roberto Firmino, and Liverpool took advantage of the man advantage when Salah scored from the penalty spot.
Liverpool have a five-point lead over Atletico Madrid and Porto at the top of Group B after a penalty awarded for Diogo Jota’s shove on Jose Gimenez was overturned following a pitchside monitor check.
Liverpool’s starting line-up was their oldest in a match since September 1953, at 29 years and 130 days, and their experience showed in a quick start that saw them open the scoring early on.
Salah’s left-footed shot from outside the box deflected past Jan Oblak, and the Egypt forward was later credited with the goal after some initial confusion over who got the final touch.
Atleti continued to be pushed back, and soon after, Felipe’s poor defensive header fell nicely for Keita to thump home with a dipping first-time shot from 18 yards.
Griezmann’s slight touch helped Koke’s shot into the bottom-left corner, and the goal was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside in the build-up.
When Griezmann was played clean through on goal, Alisson denied him, but the France international made amends by taking Joao Felix’s pass in stride and coolly slotting past the Liverpool goalkeeper.
In a frantic end-to-end match, Alisson and Oblak were once again called into action, but the momentum shifted back in Liverpool’s favour with Griezmann’s straight red card after 52 minutes.
12 minutes from time, Jurgen Klopp’s side capitalised on a spell of pressure when Mario Hermoso collided with Jota inside the box, and Salah, who had missed a penalty against Milan in Liverpool’s first group match, buried the spot-kick.
Referee Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot for Jota’s challenge on Gimenez, but the decision was controversially overturned before substitute Luis Suarez could step up and take the penalty
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
