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After Rodrygo had put Carlo Ancelotti's side ahead, Julian Alvarez restored parity in the 32nd minute with a stunning curling effort that crashed off the post on its way in.

After the equaliser, the visitors were able to unsettle Real and dominate possession, but were unable to turn that into clear-cut chances.

That profligacy was punished 10 minutes into the second half when Brahim Diaz danced his way into the area before finishing past Jan Oblak from close range.

Atletico has now lost each of its past four away games in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, its longest losing run away from home at this stage of the competition since a run of five between 1969 and 1971.

Simeone, however, added that he felt confident his side could turn the tie around in the second leg.

"We should have taken better advantage when we had control of the game," he said. "It's difficult to take risks so that with any counter-attack you end up losing the game.

"We controlled that situation very well, but we were missing [something] in the final metres."

Simeone was also assured that the atmosphere in front of Atletico's own supporters would give his players an edge to mount a comeback, as they did against Inter Milan at this stage of the competition last year.

But that task could have been made even harder in the closing stages, with Kylian Mbappe failing to find Vinicius Junior in the final moments after a swift counter-attack.

"Maybe the hope of that no goal opens the door for what's to come," Simeone concluded.