UCL draw: Messi vs. Neymar, Ronaldo at Porto

Antoine Griezmann scores Atletico Madrid brace in win at Galatasaray

16/09/2015

Antoine Griezmann struck twice in the first half as Atletico Madrid made an ideal start to their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Galatasaray.

The France forward silenced the crowd at the Turk Telecom Arena when he put the Spaniards ahead in the 18th minute, and he doubled their lead seven minutes later.

The hosts had three shots on goal throughout their Group C opening encounter and could not beat Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak on the night.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone had demanded a strong start to the competition after his team fell 3-2 at Olympiakos in last season's group opener.

The Rojiblancos, who had lost 2-1 at home to Barcelona to see their perfect start to the campaign halted on Saturday, were dangerous from the off.

Luciano Vietto twice tested Fernando Muslera with long-range efforts early on which the Galatasaray goalkeeper saved, and it did not take long for the visitors to go in front.

Juanfran's cross found Griezmann in the area and the Frenchman struck a diagonal shot past a helpless Muslera.

Atletico doubled their lead seven minutes later when Diego Godin latched onto a corner and headed towards the far post, where an unmarked Griezmann emerged to poke the ball into the back of the net.

Galatasaray reacted and Wesley Sneijder's hard drive from 25 yards was kept out by Oblak.

In the 32nd minute, the home side were forced to make their first substitution with Umut Bulut replacing an injured Emre Colak.

Atletico almost made it 3-0 in the 40th minute but Jose Gimenez's powerful header from Guillherme Siqueira's pass was saved by Muslera.

Before the interval, Jason Denayer got his head behind Sneijder's cross but his attempt flew wide.

Galatasaray should have reduced the deficit six minutes after the restart -- Denayer spotted Lukas Podolski in the box but the German forward's left-footed attempt went wide.

Sneijder missed another chance when he drilled a long-range attempt off target.

In the 57th minute, Muslera was called on to make a save to clear Jackson Martinez's bullet strike from 20 yards.

The hosts pressed forward more aggressively and in the 74th minute, as Burak Yilmaz's right-footed shot from eight yards was kept out by Oblak.

Galatasaray could not turn their late pressure into goals and Griezmann almost scored his third six minutes from time -- Oliver Torres sent Griezmann through on goal, but his right-footed strike from 12 yards was held out by Muslera.

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