KOKE’S strike after 23 seconds and lethal poaching from Antoine Griezmann put Atletico in command of their Europa League quarter-final.
Diego Simeone’s Spaniards showed why they are tipped to be Arsenal’s biggest threats to qualifying for the Champions League through the backdoor by winning this tournament.
Portuguese giants Sporting were rocked in this first leg by an Atletico side who are now unbeatene in Europe for nine games – their best run since reaching the 2014 Champions League final.
Former Liverpool centre-back Sebastian Coates set a worrying tone for his Sporting side inside the first minute.
The Uruguayan passed the ball straight to Diego Costa on the edge of the box. And the ex-Chelsea striker poked the ball in over keeper Rui Patricio’s outstretched leg.
Patricio soon kept out a high-rising header from Diego Godin.
But Bas Dost somehow nodded a glaring chance wide for Sportng on 13 minutes.
France defender volleyed just high for Atletico before costa had penalty pleas waved away after he tumbled under pressure from Rodrigo Battaglia.
Griezmann, though, defied his quiet evenign to that point by doubling Atletico’s lead on 40 minutes.
Fellow Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu lost control of the ball, enabling Griezmann to snatch possession, stride into the bottom corner.
Godin had a goal ruled out just past the hour for offside against Kevin Gameiro.
And Costa headed over following Koke’s floated cross from the right.
Former Stamford Bridge favourite Costsa continued to be involved often and where it mattered most.
And in fact it was the Spain targetman’s sliding pass that put in Juanfran, only for Patricio to thwart him with a smart stop at the near post.
Cost and Griezmann, though were taken off in the closing minutes as Atletico thought they were easing home.
But Sporting might rue a gaping opportunity in stoppage time.
Bryan Ruiz’s fierce volley was pushed out by Jan Oblak – but into the middle of the goal.
Fredy Montero reacted quickest but fired high.
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