By Daily Sports on December 8, 2021

Atletico Madrid snatched a place in the Champions League last 16 as they won 3-1 at FC Porto on Tuesday in a tense and ill-tempered game which saw both sides have a man sent off.

Antoine Griezmann put Atletico in front against the run of play in the 56th minute, bundling the ball into the net following a corner after the hosts had missed a glut of clear chances either side of the break.

Atletico’s lead was threatened when Yannick Carrasco was sent off in the 67th minute for raising his hands to Otavio as tempers raged following a foul but Porto’s numerical advantage lasted only a few moments as Wendell and Agustin Marchesin were both sent off in the span of five minutes.

Substitute Angel Correa clinched the win for Atletico with a cool finish on the counter-attack in the 90th minute, while Porto then earned a consolation penalty which Sergio Oliveira converted with the final kick of the game.

Diego Simeone’s Atleti side began the game bottom of Group B but ended it second on seven points, Porto coming third with five and qualifying for the Europa League.

“I’m happy, proud of my players,” Simeone said.

“They showed personality, experience, they knew how to suffer, with the difficulties we faced. We were missing three centre-backs out of four but there are players who haven't played many minutes who are important.

“We had one of the most complicated groups. I thought we’d get points against everyone, but we couldn’t against Liverpool. We got more points than Milan and Porto. We need to improve, but this is the way.

“It’s a great day. We’ll remember it as a classic Champions League game against a great team. The game had everything.”

Liverpool finished top with 18 points after winning 2-1 at AC Milan, who finished bottom with four. (ESPN)

•PHOTO: Griezmann was on the scoresheet for Athletico Madrid

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 8, 2021

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