MOSCOW (AP) — João Félix and Thomas Partey scored second-half goals as Atlético Madrid defeated Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 Tuesday in the Champions League.
Félix opened the scoring from close range in the 48th minute and Partey doubled the lead from Diego Costa's pass in the 58th, giving Atlético its first win after a home draw against Juventus in its opener.
"I'm happy with the result. We knew we had to be at our best given how they close up well and make you anxious," Atlético coach Diego Simeone said. "We had chances in the first half but in the second we were much stronger and clinical. Once we got ahead we were able to control the game well."
Atlético is at the top of Group D alongside Juventus, which defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in Turin. Lokomotiv is one point back, with Bayer Leverkusen in last place with no points.
"We lost to a team that can win the Champions League. I don't see it as a problem," Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin said. "They were stronger than us and we simply didn't have enough strength. After conceding early in the second half, something broke down in our game."
On Oct. 22, Atlético hosts Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv visits Juventus.
