Header Ban

Late penalty chaos sees Atletico Madrid crash out of the Champions League



Atletico Madrid missed a penalty in stoppage time in their 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, a result that sees both teams crash out of the Champions League.

The draw was a welcome sight for Porto, as it means they go through to February's knockout stage following their 4-0 win over Club Brugge earlier in the day, but they were made to wait after a chaotic match at the Metropolitano.

It all began in the ninth minute when Moussa Diaby put the away side in front. Antoine Griezmann lost possession in his own half, with Adam Hlozek picking up the ball and finding the Frenchman, who curled a shot across the face of goal and into the far corner.

Atletico levelled proceedings soon after when Griezmann played the ball out to the edge of the area for Yannick Carrasco, the Belgian sending a low drive into the bottom corner past a helpless Lukas Hradecky.

Leverkusen restored their advantage in the 29th minute after some more sloppy play by Atletico.

This time it was Angel Correa who lost possession, allowing Nadiem Amiri to centre for Callum Hudson-Odoi. He expertly controlled the ball and then fired a low strike past Jan Oblak.

Half-time substitute Rodrigo De Paul made it 2-2 five minutes after the break, controlling a Carrasco pass on the edge of the area and then curling the ball inside the far post.

Although Atletico played with more intensity, their chances of staying in the competition dwindled with each passing minute as they couldn't find a way past Hradecky for a third.

Incredibly, Atletico were handed a lifeline after referee Clement Turpin had initially blown the full-time whistle before VAR called him back for a Piero Hincapie handball in the penalty area.

Carrasco stepped up with a chance to keep Atletico in the competition, but Hradecky stopped the penalty.

Saul reacted first to the rebound, but sent his header crashing off the bar, while Reinaldo's follow-up was somehow deflected over the goal to send Diego Simeone's side out at the group stage for the first time in five years.

No comments

Powered by Blogger.