German club Bayer Leverkusen closely beat Spanish side Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round 16 at the BayArena, Leverkusen, on Wednesday night.

Home team Bayer Leverkusen’s defender Emir Spahic’s long range shot rattled the crossbar in the 26th minute.

Leverkusen’s Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. Assisted by German winger Karim Bellarabi, Hakan smashed the ball into the net in the area, 1-0.

In the 75th minute Atletico Madrid’s equaliser was disallowed, as the ball coming from the corner kick crossed the line.

Visitors Atletico Madrid’s central midfielder Tiago got his second yellow card and was sent off after fouling Bellarabi in the 77th minute.

Bayer Leverkusen have the advantage for the second leg in Madrid.

French team Monaco stunned London giants Arsenal in their away match. Monaco cruised past Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium, London.

French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, Bulgarian veteran striker Dimitar Berbatov and Belgian winger Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco all scored for away team Monaco. Arsenal’s only goal was scored by English winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Anadolu Agency).

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