won first leg

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won first leg" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sports or competitions to indicate that a team or individual has won the initial part of a series or match. Example: "After a thrilling match, the home team won first leg, setting them up for a strong chance in the second leg."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Suarez equalised after Leverkusen won first leg.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bayern Munich won yesterday's game, 2-1; Real won the first leg last week, 2-0.

The New York Times - Sports

US Virgin Islands won the first leg 1-0 in Bridgetown but Barbados won 4-0 to advance to the next round where they will face Aruba in June.

BBC

Liverpool won the first leg 2 0 at Anfield, and they won the second leg 1 0 in East Germany, to beat Dresden 3 0 on aggregate.

Wikipedia

Real won the first leg 2 1 at the Bernabéu while Atlético won 1 0 at the Metropolitano.

Wikipedia

Feyenoord won the first leg 1 0 to gain a vital away goal after Iván Córdoba scored an own goal.

Wikipedia

Ashton hit back to win the next five legs to level the match at 2-2 and then won the first leg of the deciding set.

BBC

Roma won the first leg in Bulgaria 1 0 and another 1 0 victory in the second leg in Italy meant Roma won the tie 2 0 on aggregate.

Wikipedia

Liverpool won the first leg at Anfield 3 0, a 3 1 victory at AEK's home ground the Nikos Goumas Stadium ensured Liverpool won the tie 6 1 on aggregate.

Wikipedia

Anderson, 44, won the first leg of the decider and when Taylor missed double 16 in the next, the Scot capitalised to win the £250,000 first prize.

BBC

Canada had won the first leg, 1-0.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternatives like "secured the first match" or "took the opening leg" to provide variety in your writing.

Common error

Ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation of "leg", which can also refer to a body part or a stage of a journey. Provide sufficient context to indicate that you are discussing a sports competition or similar event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won first leg" functions as a concise descriptor indicating success in the initial match of a two-part competition. Ludwig AI confirms it's a standard expression. Examples show its use in various sports reporting contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "won first leg" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote victory in the initial match of a two-part competition, according to Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, and wiki sources, its register is neutral, making it suitable for professional sports reporting and commentary. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing enough context to avoid ambiguity. For variety, alternatives such as "secured the initial game" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secured the initial game

Replaces "first leg" with "initial game" to offer a less sports-specific alternative.

clinched the first game

Highlights securing the first game, indicating a win.

prevailed in the opening match

Emphasizes the act of winning in the context of the first match or stage.

triumphed in the first round

Suitable for tournaments or competitions with multiple rounds, highlighting success in the initial stage.

secured a win in the first phase

Similar to "triumphed in the first round" but more broadly applicable.

emerged victorious in the first encounter

A more formal way of saying "won the first leg", suitable for written reports.

achieved victory in the first part

A more generic alternative that can be used in various contexts, not just sports.

took the lead in the first match

Focuses on gaining an advantage in the first match, implying a win.

conquered the first stage

Implies a decisive win in the initial stage of a competition.

gained the upper hand in the first match

Indicates an advantage gained through winning the first match.

FAQs

How is "won first leg" typically used in sports reporting?

The phrase "won first leg" is used to indicate that a team or individual was victorious in the first match of a two-part competition. This sets the stage for the second match, where the overall winner is determined by aggregate score or other tie-breaking methods.

What can I say instead of "won first leg" to avoid repetition?

You can use alternatives like "secured the initial game", "prevailed in the opening match", or "triumphed in the first round" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "won the first leg match"?

While understandable, "won the first leg match" is somewhat redundant since "leg" already implies a match. It's more concise and common to simply say "won the first leg".

What is the significance of "winning the first leg" in a two-legged tie?

Winning the first leg provides an advantage going into the second leg. It can create pressure on the opposing team and allows the winning team to play more defensively, protecting their lead while potentially scoring additional goals.