Koke scored Atletico Madrid’s quickest ever Europa League goal after just 22 seconds in an accomplished 2-0 quarter-final first-leg win over a sloppy Sporting CP at Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday.
The Spain midfielder punished Sebastian Coates’ error to net the opener immediately after kick-off, setting the hosts on their way to a fifth successive victory in this year’s competition.
In truth, it was made it easy for Diego Simeone’s side, Jeremy Mathieu gifting Atleti a second, Antoine Griezmann’s fourth goal in as many club outings arriving late in the first half.
The Portuguese outfit created occasional opportunities to snatch a handy away goal – substitute Fredy Montero notably blazing over at the death – but while both teams finished third in their respective Champions League groups, there was a clear gulf in quality.
Indeed, the last time these teams met in the Europa League, it was the Rojiblancos who went on to lift the trophy in the inaugural 2009-10 tournament.
And Simeone, who led Atleti to a second triumph three years later, will be confident of booking a place in the final four when they reconvene for the return leg in Lisbon next Thursday.
