Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya secured his side a hard-earned point with a sensational penalty save in a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in their Champions League opener on Thursday.

Spaniard Raya dived low to his right to beat out Mateo Retegui's spot-kick in the 51st minute then sprang across his goal to claw away the forward's follow-up header.

It was a gritty display by Mikel Arteta's side who soaked up home pressure inside a raucous Stadio di Bergamo and occasionally looked dangerous at the other end.

The closest Arsenal came to scoring was a first-half free-kick by Bukayo Saka that was saved well by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi while Gabriel Martinelli blasted over the crossbar in a rare Arsenal attack after the break.

Arsenal, without injured skipper Martin Odegaard, were not at their best but made sure they returned to London with a point in the bag thanks to the exploits of Raya.

Atalanta were handed the chance to go ahead when Thomas Partey tangled with Ederson on the edge of the area and the referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot.

After a lengthy VAR check, Retegui eventually took the kick but after a stuttering run, his low shot was read by Raya who then showed elastic-like agility to make the double-save.

"It was a very difficult game but I think we also made it difficult for them, Raya said.

"A point away from home in the first game, we could have played a bit better but if you can't win the game then don't lose it."

Of his penalty save, he added: "I was lucky to go the right way and unlucky that the rebound fell to him, but I was quick enough to get up and save it. Fantastic to keep a clean sheet."

It was the first-ever clash between the sides with Atalanta having qualified for the competition by finishing fourth in Serie A last season, while they also won the Europa League.

While Atalanta will be frustrated at not beginning with a notable victory, Gian Piero Gasperini's side showed that they will be a tough nut to crack in the group phase.

Late header seals deal

A late header by defender Jose Maria Gimenez gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig in their opener. The German visitors took a shock lead in the fourth minute thanks to a header by striker Benjamin Sesko after a quick counter-attack.

However, Antoine Griezmann struck a fine volley into the top corner in the 28th minute to level the score.

Atletico dominated the match with 20 attempts on goal in total, but it wasn't until the 90th minute that they finally managed to find the winner, with Gimenez heading in a cross from Griezmann.

"We knew that any mistake could cost us a goal and that was what happened, but we were mature enough to keep calm and work our way back from behind," Griezmann told Movistar Plus.

"To start on the right foot, winning, is very important. Every Champions League game is difficult, no matter the opponent. We have to work hard and keep going like this.

"We have tried until the last moment. We have a deep squad that will make the difference like today (Thursday)."

Alonso happy

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso was happy with the German champions' 4-0 win at Feyenoord in their campaign opener, but said the victory did not come as easily as it looked.

Former Spain midfielder Alonso, who won the European top-flight title twice as a player with Liverpool and Real Madrid, said his players needed some time to get out of the early pressure from the hosts in his first Champions League match as a manager.

"We were not lucky, but efficient, in the first minutes... we needed a bit more control on the build-up to find the free spaces," the 42-year-old said.

Alonso said it was never easy, with Leverkusen putting on a disciplined performance in the goalless second half. "We have good players who understand what the game requires," he said.