
Results:
Atlético Madrid 1 Liverpool 0
Borussia Dortmund 2 Paris Saint-Germain 1
Round-up: After a two-month break, the Champions League finally returned as the first knockout round began with two of the eight knockout ties being played tonight. Reigning European champions Liverpool travelled to Spanish side Atlético Madrid, whom it is fair to say have been struggling in the domestic league, however, it was the Madrid side who ultimately prevailed in the 1st leg thanks to a fourth minute goal from midfielder Saul Niguez which turned out to be the winning goal, which means that Atlético Madrid have a 1-0 lead to take to Anfield for the second leg which will be played on Wednesday 11th March. In the other match played tonight, German side Borussia Dortmund, who are involved in a four-way tussle for the Bundesliga title, hosted French champions Paris Saint-Germain who possess star talents Kylian Mbappé and Neymar amongst others. In the end, it was Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Braut Haaland, signed in January from Austrian champions RB Salzburg having made a big impression in the Champions League group stages, who proved the game's protagonist as he bagged a brace. After a tight and tense first half which remained goalless, Haaland put Dortmund in front in the 69th minute with a close-range finish after a brilliant low cross from wing-back Raphael Guerreiro. However, their lead lasted a mere 6 minutes, as after some brilliant work from Mbappé in the build-up, he cut through Dortmund's defence and squared for Neymar to equalise. Despite that setback for the hosts, after a good pass (which came from some brilliant movement) from teenager Giovanni Reyna (son of former Manchester City player Claudio Reyna), Haaland hit a brilliant shot from outside the box which went into the top of the net and gave Dortmund a 2-1 lead. PSG pressed in search of an equaliser, and they came closest through Neymar who hit the angle of post and bar. In the end, Dortmund held on for a first leg victory which means they have a 2-1 lead to take to the Parc des Princes in Paris for the second leg on the 11th March.
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