Atletico Madrid are on course to reach the last four of the Europa League after a comfortable 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon.
Koke opened the scoring after 22 seconds and Antoine Griezmann doubled Atleti's lead before half-time.
However, Fredy Montero almost scored an away goal in stoppage time for the Portuguese giants.
Relive all the action with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Hello and welcome to live commentary from Europa League with Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon vying for a place in the last four of the competition and tonight's first-leg at the Wanda Metropolitano could go a long way to decide one of the semi-finalists.
Without further ado, let's bring you the latest team news from the Spanish capital.
ATLETICO XI: Oblak; Godin, Savic, Hernandez, Juanfran; Koke, Gabi, Niguez, Correa; Griezmann, Costa
SPORTING XI: Patricio; Coates, Mathieu, Coentrao, Piccini; Martins, Carvalho, Ruiz, Battaglia; Fernandez; Dost
Well, Atletico cannot be accused of taking this competition lightly with Griezmann and Costa leading the line for the hosts. Griezmann should be full of energy after missing the weekend win over Deportivo through suspension. Costa had been spotted limping in training during the week, but the former Chelsea starts this evening.
Los Rojiblancos are also boosted by the appearance of seasoned full back Juanfran. The former Spanish international had picked up a hamstring injury in the last round against Vitoria Plzen, but the veteran features tonight.
There is, however, no Jose Gimenez in Atleti's defence against Sporting. Sime Vrsaljko is also absent after missing the victory over Depor at the weekend.
Kevin Gameiro, who scored the winner in that game from the spot, has to do with a place on the bench as Costa and Griezmann look to give plenty of firepower to the home side's attack.
There is some good news for Sporting, who have William Carvalho and Sebastian Coates available. Both players were fitness doubts for the trip to Spain. Carvalho missied Saturday's defeat against Braga
Los Leoes' attack is led by Bas Dost and Bruno Fernandes this evening. However, both players are only one yellow card from a suspension.
In total, there are six players in danger of being suspended (Martins, Coentrao and Battaglia all start). Marcos Acuna is on the bench.
Sporting's injury woes have improved a little in recent weeks. So much so that only Daniel Podence and Seydou Doumbia are the long-term absentees.
Atletico come into this game in a rich vein of form, having lost only one of their last six games and have made a habit of keeping clean sheets.
Indeed, the Spanish giants have made their new home, the Wanda Metropolitano, a fortress and haven't lost a La Liga game there since moving in the summer.
Atletico's form has been down to a sturdy defence and they have not conceded a home goal since January 20. Los Rojiblancos have also won eight straight home games with clean sheets.
Diego Simeone's men didn't dwell on an early exit from the Champions League (finishing behind Roma and Chelsea) and have scored 13 goals in four Europa League knockout games so far.
Atleti have also enjoyed plenty of success in this tournament previously. They have won the trophy twice in the last 10 years and, as their last serious chance of picking up silverware this season, they will be looking for a hat-trick of Europa League titles
However, they will be continuing a fine tradition of Spanish clubs in this competition, with tonight's game being the 299th match involving a club from Spain.
Atleti have their own winning tradition in this tournament and have won 21 of their last 24 games in this competition
However, tonight's opposition are the only other club left in the draw to have played in the quarter finals of this tournament and lost on away goals the last time they met.
Like Atletico, Sporting entered the Europa League after dropping out of the Champions League earlier in the season, but unlike their Iberian opponents, Los Leoes were not expected to usurp Barcelona or last year's runners-up Juventus.
Sporting were semi-finalists in 2012, their best showing in the competition and are making their third appearance at this stage.
That said, their record in Spain is poor, having failed to win in any of their previous twelve visits (D3, L9).
The only ray of light came in the 0-0 draw in the first-leg of the 2010 Quarter-Final when they held Atleti at the Vicente Calderon.
In addition, Sporting's recent form makes for difficult reading, having lost three out of their last four games, including a defeat to Braga at the weekend.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Atleti and Sporting have met each other only twice, in the 2010 Europa League last eight. As mentioned, Sporting held their Spanish opponents to a 0-0 draw in Madrid, but went out on away goals after a Sergio Aguero brace saw the La Liga side through.
PREDICTION: As kickoff at the Wanda Metropolitano nears, it is time for a prediction and with Atletico's recent form, it should be a straightforward game to forecast. Sporting will be doing to avoid anything but a defeat, but I am going for a 3-0 win for the hosts.
Tonight's match is a crucial one for Sporting's coach Jorge Jesus, with a few murmurs of a possible summer managerial change. The former Benfica boss will be eager to get a result.
The players are in the tunnel and I'm hearing that there should be around 60,000 in attendance in Madrid. Fingers crossed they see an exciting game.
Russian referee Sergei Karasev gets us underway in the Spanish capital.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Sporting Lisbon (Koke)
That goal was clocked at 23 seconds as Koke puts in Atleti off to a perfect start. Sporting were all over the place!
SAVE! Atletico almost double their lead as Godin's effort is saved by Patricio
I am told that the official time is 22 seconds for Koke's opener. Meanwhile Gabi is penalised for a foul on Carvalho.
I should credit Antoine Griezmann with the assist for Koke's finish. He's making a habit of creating goals of late.
6 - @AntoGriezmann has been directly involved in six goals in his last six European games for @atletienglish (three goals, three assists). Reference pic.twitter.com/cd2q4ZlEHz — OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 5, 2018
Sporting's first chance of note as Coates turns Coentrao's delivery wide of the target.
As an Atletico corner from Koke comes to nothing, his early goal was the 499th by a Spanish team in the Europa League era in the 299th game.
SHOT! Another effort from Sporting as Bas Dost tries his luck and fails to test Oblak as his effort is blocked. The Portuguese side are least having a go and not trying to sit back.
FOUL! Sporting earn another free kick, this time Ruiz is felled by Juanfran.
STATS: Sporting are seeing more of the ball early on (61%), but Atleti do not look under concerted pressure and seem happy without the ball. They'll be looking to keep a 26th clean sheet of the season.
Hernandez tries his luck with a speculative shot from the edge of the box and fires wide of Patricio's net.
FOUL! It's nice to see that Costa hasn't lost his sense of injustice as he shakes his head after he visibility shoves Piccini to the turf.
Interestingly, Atletico Madrid have now gone more than 750 minutes without conceding a goal at home. Sporting's task was hard enough without remembering that stat.
YELLOW CARD: The first card of the night from Mr Karasev in brandished in the direction of Niguez for an obvious tug of the shirt on Ruiz. Only Atletico's Correa is in danger of a suspension as things stand. Six Sporting players are one yellow away from a ban.
By the way, the 22-second strike from Koke is also the fastest goal of the Europa League this season, overtaking Lucas Ocampos's effort for Marseille earlier in the campaign.
SHOT! Griezmann, looking to add to his 16 goals this season, has a crack, but misses the target.
Bar some occasional moments of wonder, the game has failed to continue in the frenetic nature as it started. It feels like Atleti are trying to turn the screw ever so slowly.
SAVE! Finally Oblak is forced into a save as the impressive Martins tries to guide an effort low to the Slovenian's left, but the in-demand keeper is equal to the shot.
SHOT! It's a shot wide from Costa, but he is adamant that he was fouled as he lined up the strike from the right of the box. The Russian official is having none of it.
Now it's Sporting's turn to appeal for a foul and Piccini falls to the ground rather heavily and doesn't get the decision. The challenge certainly halts a promising attack.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 2-0 Sporting Lisbon (Griezmann)
I was just about to say that Sporting had kept Atleti largely quiet, but the hosts have doubled their lead and mistakes in the visitor's defence allowed Griezmann to run into acres of space and slot past Patricio.
Looking at the replay, Mathieu appears to let the ball runn between his legs. This after Coates was caught knapping for Koke's opener. It has been a first half to forget for Sporting's centre-halves.
It looks like Sporting are readying Acuna on the sidelines, but I haven't seen any of the away side struggling with injury.
SPORTING SUB: Indeed, it's Carvalho who jogs off to be replaced by Acuna. I wonder whether Ruiz may have to drop back to accomodate the substitute, who favours the left wing.
Just the one minute of added time in Madrid.
HALF TIME: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Sporting Lisbon
Well, at times Sporting looked to be setting into their task, but as it stands, Los Rojiblancos have one foot in the last four of the Europa League without getting out of second gear. Two defensive mistakes have really cost the visitors.
STATS: Overall, Los Leoes shaded possession (56%), but it was Atletico who had more shots at goal (7) and on target (3). They have also had more clear cut opportunities, but have only made 210 passes while Sporting have made more than 300.
BENCH WATCH: The visitors have already made one change, but do have Fredy Montero as an extra attacking option, should they need it.
As for the hosts, they can call on the likes of Torres and Gameiro, but the current front line appears to be doing enough.
Elsewhere in Europe, Arsenal are 4-1 to the good against CSKA Moscow. Lazio and Red Bull Salzburg are level at the break in Rome. RB Leipzig lead Marseille in the other tie this evening, thanks to a Timo Werner strike. Plenty more to come, I'm sure.
As we wait for the players to return to the field, Atletico are 45 minutes away from a ninth successive home clean sheet. Can they keep out the Liga Nos side? All will be revealed!
We're back underway at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Just the one change made before the interval by Sporting. Otherwise it's as we were at the start.
Immediately, the hosts are looking to take control of possession. One more goal will possibly end the Liga Nos side's hopes of progression.
CHANCE! Costa really should have put the tie beyond Sporting's reach as another Coates error leaves the former Chelsea star one-on-one with Patricio, but the striker should have scored.
Another Coates error! This time Costa is shooting from a narrow angle and can't test the Sporting stopper.
At the other end, Coentrao wastes a good opportunity to pull a goal back and should have worked Oblak, but the former Monaco player's effort was relatively tame.
ATLETICO SUB: The home team's first change as Gameiro replaces Correa. I think Simeone fancies finishing the tie tonight.
Sporting earn a rare corner, but Acuna's corner comes to nothing. Against a team with such defensive prowess, you feel that every opportunity is crucial.
YELLOW CARD: Coentrao completely scythes down Griezmann and the gestures as if he is the innocent party. The defender will miss the return leg.
YELLOW CARD: Another booking for Sporting and this time Piccini trips Costa.
FOUL! Another poor challenge as Koke is brought down by Battaglia. I wonder if Sporting are losing their way here!
OFFSIDE! Gameiro slides the ball into the net, but was easily offside.
YELLOW CARD: The latest in the book is Savic after clattering Martins.
Coates isn't having a great night, is he? He tries to pull one back at the other end and the ball merely bounces off the Uruguayan. A comfortable save for Oblak.
CHANCE! Costa goes close again after latching onto Koke's cross and heading over the bar.
Despite shading possession for much of the game, Sporting have only registered one shot on target so far. If they are to turn this tie around, they will need to test Oblak more.
YELLOW CARD: Another shocking tackle as Dost clatters into Hernandez. Probably not bad enough to be a red, but will be suspended for the second-leg in any case.
Jorge Jesus is screaming for a free kick for Hernandez's challenge on Martins, but he won't get the decision. A frustrating night for the veteran manager.
Atleti are now over 800 minutes without conceding at home. It is easy to see why they are the favourites for the tournament.
FOUL! Another foul by Coentrao, this time on Koke. He needs to be careful for the remaining minutes.
FOUL! The visitors really have lost their way as Battaglia commits another foul on Gameiro.
YELLOW CARD: Now Koke enters the book for a cynical trip on Ribeiro. He's the sixth player in the book.
Sporting are heading towards a fourth defeat in five games and will be without at least two of their first choice players for the second-leg. Their hopes are diminishing fast.
Griezmann tries to add to his tally with a long-range effort, which is straight at Patricio.
SPORTING SUB: Montero will make a late cameo in place of Fernandes.
ATLETICO SUB: The hosts also make a late change with Thomas on for Costa.
ATLETICO SUB: Another change as Griezmann departs with Vitolo on in his place.
Three minutes of added time at the Metropolitano.
CHANCE! What a chance for Sporting to nick an away goal as Oblak pushes Ruiz's effort into the path of Montero, who blazes over.
FULL TIME: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Sporting Lisbon
Well, it could have been a bigger margin and was nearly a smaller one, but Atleti are safely in control and will head to Lisbon knowing they are potentially 90 minutes from the semis. Thank you for joining Sports Mole and good night!
Written by
Chris O'Keefe
Chris O'Keefe
