Copenhagen 1-4 Atletico Madrid: Griezmann scores as Simeone's side turn over goal deficit

Atletico Madrid have taken a giant stride toward reaching the round of 16 after comfortably seeing off Copenhagen 4-1 away from home.

The hosts took an unlikely early lead when former Middlesbrough striker Viktor Fischer smartly finished a mis-timed shot, as the Atletico defence had their claims for an offside waved away.

However, Diego Simeone's side weren't behind for long as Saul Niguez headed home from a corner, which ultimately got the Spanish giants in the stride.

It wasn't all Atletico though as Stale Solbakken looked positive and pushed on to retake the lead at Parken Stadium.

Just before half-time it was the visitors that would take the lead, as Kevin Gameiro finished off a well-worked move as Antoine Griezmann's clever pass found left-back Lucas, who squared it to the French striker to steer home.

Simeone would've been the happier of the two manager's going into the break, despite conceding that Fischer opener after 15 minutes.

As the two sides changed sides, so did the weather as snow began to fall on the cold night in Denmark.

The conditions didn't effect Simeone's men as it was their talisman Griezmann who extended the lead to three in the second half.

Griezmann was put through on goal and slid the ball between the keeper legs after Atletico effortlessly passed their way up the field for the third.

Vitolo made it four with 13 minutes remaining to give Simeone's side a superior advantage going into the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The Argentine coach was delighted with his side's performance and was happy Atletico stuck to their game plan despite going a goal behind early on.

Simeone told the club's official website: 'It was a very good match. I'm happy with the performance in general. The team started the match knowing what had to be done.

'We conceded, but that didn't change or game plan. With hard work and good play, we found the equalizer and it was easier to score after that. It was a good match with a good response from the team.'

'Copenhagen started off strongly and scored early on but today, Atletico played a great match,' he said. 'The players proved it with their goals.'

The 47-year-old was also happy with Griezmann's performance on the cold Thursday evening.

'Griezmann has been playing well these past few months. He plays better when the team does as well,'he said. 'He's in good form and celebrated his goal with his mates who were warming up, a nice gesture.'