Astana earned their second ever Champions League point by holding 2014 finalists Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in this evening's Group C match in Kazakhstan.

Astana had the only two shots on target in the first period, but neither gave Jan Oblak any trouble and it was Atletico who went closest to the opening goal.

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Tiago Mendes saw a shot blocked after 10 minutes, while Fernando Torres, starting his first Champions League match of the season, poked wide after Evgeny Postnikov had misjudged a Juanfran ball over the top.

Atletico hit the bar twice in the match, but neither effort appeared to be intentional as both Koke in the first half and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, a second-half substitute, looped efforts from narrow angles over Astana keeper Nenad Eric and onto the top of the woodwork.

In the second half Atletico had even more of the ball and created nearly all of the best chances, but they could not take one as Astana held firm.

French forward Antoine Griezmann dragged a shot wide after a neat one-two with Tiago in the 75th minute, while Diego Godin headed wide Ferreira Carrasco's corner 10 minutes later.

Astana had one opportunity to steal the points and earn a first-ever Champions League win, but Baurzhan Dzholchiyev took too long to shoot after cutting inside Godin in the area.

Ferreira Carrasco gave Atletico a lift after being introduced and he almost broke Astana hearts with the last kick of the game when he took aim but could not beat Eric with a low shot from inside the area.

Atletico move a point clear of Benfica at the top of the group, but the Portuguese side will go back above Diego Simeone's men if they avoid defeat at home to Galatasaray later tonight.