Champions League: Atalanta 0-1 Real Madrid - Mendy's late goal breaks ten-man hosts resistance

Uefa - Ferland Mendy's superb 86th-minute finish earned Real Madrid a narrow victory against an Atalanta side who played more than three-quarters of this first leg with ten men.

Ferland Mendy (r) celebrates goal for Real Madrid with teammates. Photo: @realmadriden

Real Madrid are in charge of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Atalanta after securing a late 1-0 win in Bergamo.

Madrid had to wait for Ferland Mendy's excellent 86th-minute goal to break the deadlock and dash the hopes of their hosts, who played more than 70 minutes with ten men following Remo Freuler's red card.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says Los Blancos are "only halfway there" ⬇

Ésta victoria es sólo la mitad del camino pero estoy muy contento por lo conseguido hoy! 🤍

Victory! We're only halfway there, but I'm very happy with what we achieved today! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/KWRJMtNWgQ

— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) February 24, 2021

Madrid dominated possession but were left frustrated for much of the contest, not least by Pierluigi Gollini's save to keep out Casemiro's first-half header and Robin Gosens' point-blank block to thwart Vinícius Júnior. Atalanta's defences were finally breached when Mendy collected a short corner and, with his weaker right foot, bent the ball into the far corner.

Watch: Real Madrid Boss Zinedine Zidane says "it's a good result" ⬇

💬 Zidane: "In the end, scoring is what is important to us. It’s a good result."#UCL pic.twitter.com/YDX0mSSynj

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2021