Football: Atletico, Arsenal clinch crucial home wins
Heavyweights Atletico Madrid and Arsenal took a grip on their first-leg quarter-finals tie of the Europa League. Atletico beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 after a record 23-second goal by Koke. With this win, Atletico have put one foot in the last four. Arsenal, on the other hand, fought valiantly to brush aside CSKA Moscow 4-1 at home. Here is the Europa League quarters 1st-leg summary.
Arsenal pump four past sorry CSKA
Arsene Wenger will be reasonably satisfied with the way his team came out with a lot of intensity. A brace by Aaron Ramsey followed by a double by Alexandre Lacazette helped the London club score all four goals inside the first half itself. CSKA had equalized through Aleksandr Golovin in 15th minute, but they could not hold their fort from there on.
Atletico live up to their 'favourites' tag
Atletico could be on the course to win their third Europa League title as they defeated Sporting 2-0. The 2010 and 2012 champions set a new club record when midfielder Koke scored just 23 seconds past the whistle. Antoine Griezmann added the second in the 40th minute. This was their ninth successive win in Wanda Metropolitano.
Lazio, Leipzig win in quarters
Italian club Lazio saw off the threat from Red Bull Salzburg after a 4-2 win at home. The defeat ended the 35-match unbeaten run of Salzburg. After having seen Salzburg equalize twice, Felipe Anderson and Ciro Immobile scored for the hosts to seal the tie. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig notched a narrow 1-0 win at home against Marseille.
