Football news - Griezmann inspires Atletico to victory, Icardi secures Inter comeback

ByReuters

Updated 03/10/2018 at 22:38 GMT

A double from Antoine Griezmann helped lift Atletico Madrid to a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, earning them a second consecutive victory in the competition and a commanding position in Group A.

Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann gestures during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Club Brugge at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on October 3, 2018.

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France striker Griezmann gave the home side the lead shortly before the half-hour mark after seeing an earlier strike ruled out for narrowly straying offside, although Atletico's seemingly comfortable advantage was soon shot down from out of nowhere.

Dutch winger Arnaut Danjuma appeared to pose little threat as he hovered on the left hand side of the penalty area but surprised everyone in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium with a perfectly struck shot into the far top corner to equalise in the 39th minute.

Atletico might have felt a sense of deja vu from their disastrous 1-1 draw at home to Qarabag last year which led to them being knocked out in the group stages, and after the interval put all their efforts into regaining the lead.

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Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Club Brugge at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on October 3, 2018.

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Spain midfielder Saul Niguez came close on two occasions in quick succession while Griezmann was left frustrated by a point-blank save from Croatian goalkeeper Karlo Letica.

The Frenchman eventually grabbed his second goal by smashing a pass from strike partner Diego Costa into the net in the 67th minute, although Atletico's relief at restoring their lead was soon punctured by the sight of Costa going off injured.

The Belgian side had a short-lived period of pressure in search of an equaliser and nearly got one when defender Stefano Denswil headed narrowly wide.

Antoine Griezmann, Atlético-Brugge

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Atletico responded with a flurry of attempts down the other end and after substitute Angel Correa had missed two clear chances, Koke steered a loose ball high into the net after a darting run into the area by Griezmann.

Mauro Icardi took advantage of an error from PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet to gift Inter Milan a 2-1 victory in their Champions League Group B clash on Wednesday.

Inter made it two wins from two and inflicted a second defeat on the Dutch side as Radja Nainggolan fired in an equaliser after Pablo Rosario scored his first goal in three years to give PSV the lead.

Inter Milan's Argentine forward Mauro Icardi (R) celebrates with Inter Milan's Italian midfielder Matteo Politano after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group stage football match between PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan at Philips stadium in

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The victory was deserved on the balance of play, though PSV can point to bad luck in crucial moments and will feel somewhat aggrieved, as shown by the plastic bottles that were launched from the stands on to the pitch late in the match.

A second-half header by Moussa Marega gave Porto a 1-0 Champions League win over Galatasaray on Wednesday after veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas kept the Turkish side at bay.

French-born Mali forward Marega struck four minutes after the break as Porto claimed their first win in Group D, leaving the Portuguese champions level on points at the top with Schalke and one ahead of their Turkish opponents.

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