Soccer-Atletico seal top spot with 2-0 win over Lazio

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group E - Atletico Madrid v Lazio - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - December 13, 2023 Lazio's Mario Gila in action with Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata REUTERS/Susana Vera

MADRID (Reuters) -Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino scored in each half to give Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday that secured them top spot in Champions League Group E, the first time since 2016 that they had reached the knockouts as group winners.

A year after being knocked out of the competition in the group stage, Diego Simeone's side went into the last matchday unbeaten and sure of a place in the last 16, but they needed at least a point against the Italian team to finish top.