Saul stunner gives Atletico advantage over Bayern

Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak saves from Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski Reuters

A breathtaking individual goal from Saul Niguez gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in a tense Champions League semi-final, first leg on Wednesday.

The midfielder weaved his way through the Bayern defence and produced a low finish that went in off the post to put the home side in front after 11 minutes.

Atletico forward Fernando Torres was inches away from grabbing a late second when his shot hit the post, while Bayern's David Alaba also hit the woodwork with a thumping drive.

The result left Pep Guardiola's Bayern side facing a huge task in Munich next week to avoid a third successive semi-final exit.

Atletico made an intense start in the first competitive meeting between the two sides since Bayern beat the Spaniards 4-0 in the 1974 European Cup final replay.

Saul drove them in front with a sensational run from the right, snaking inside and beating three players before fending off two more and bending the ball in off the far post with a flick of his left boot.

Bayern dominated possession but Atletico ensured there was little space for them to work in, putting Diego Simeone's well-drilled outfit in the box seat ahead of next week's return leg