Saul Niguez proved Atletico Madrid's matchwinner against Champions League semifinal opponents Bayern Munich in last night's first-leg.

The Spain Under-21 international's early wonder goal handed the Spanish side the edge ahead of next week's second leg at the Allianz Arena.

Arturo Vidal came closest to netting an equaliser for Pep Guardiola's side but the home defence worked hard to keep his and his team-mates' efforts out as they recorded their fifth consecutive clean sheet.

"It's the most important and the best too," said Saul. "I was dribbling the ball forward, I saw that I'd gone past two opponents and, as I came into the area, I got it on to my left foot to score."

Sául also rued a Fernando Torres effort that bounced back off the post after the break - "we were unlucky on the chance for Torres" - but admitted: "There was a period of the game when they [Bayern] pushed us back and we had to dig in."

He added: "Bayern are a really tough team, and we have to say thank you to the fans, who cheer us on and get behind us every step of the way."