体坛英语新闻：Three penalties as Atletico Madrid take narrow semifinal advantage

MADRID, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid will take a 2-1 lead to Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium after a semifinal first leg which saw three penalties in their Vicente Calderon Stadium this Thursday night.

The 90 minutes of football heated up through a game in which neither side had control and which also saw three red cards handed out by referee Ayza Gamez.

Sevilla coach, Unai Emery gave a debut in goal to recent signing, Beto, although he left winger and former Atletico Madrid player, Jose Antonio Reyes out of his starting 11.

Meanwhile Diego Costa and Adrian Lopez started in attack for Atletico with Koke given his chance in midfield.

The first half kicked off with both sides making mistakes perhaps due to the tension of the occasion, but as time wore on it was Atletico that began to take control, although Diego Simeone's side were clearly missing the threat of Radamel Falaco, still missing with a muscle problem.

Koke was the first to miss a chance, but his error in front of Beto was soon to be repeated by Adrian Lopez, who blazed over after great control on a long pass.

Adrian then did well to cross from the right only for Diego Costa to miss-time his header and fail to make contact with the ball just six yards from goal.

Costa was then guilty of an even worse miss just before halftime when he dragged a shot wide when put clean through.

Sevilla's best chance also came in the closing moments as Alvaro Negredo saw a long range effort tipped over by Courtois in the Atletico goal.

The game changed three minutes after the break after Emir Spahic gave away a penalty for a clear handball, for which he also saw his second yellow card to leave his side with a player less.

Lopez made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Beto the wrong way, but Atletico's joy and numerical advantage was short lived as Negredo saw his chip hit Diego Godin's slightly extended arm resulting in a penalty for Sevilla, which Negredo scored, and a red card for Godin.

There's a Spanish saying that 'you don't get two, but three,' and it was shown to be true, 20 minutes from time as Sevilla defender, Fernando Navarro committed the third handball for penalty after challenging Costa, who again made no mistake to put Atletico back in front.

There was still time for Navarro to be sent off for a bad challenge on Costa, but the score failed to move in the closing minutes, leaving the tie well balanced for the return le in four weeks.