1-0 against Botafogo is not enough: Atletico fails in the group stage
Atletico Madrid are already returning home after the group stage of the Club World Cup. The 1-0 win against Botafogo, who advanced to the round of 16 as group runners-up, was not enough for the Rojiblancos.
Although Antoine Griezmann scored the winning goal against Botafogo, his team still has to return home. Mike Blake-Reuters via Imagn Images
After the 3-1 win against the Seattle Sounders, Atletico coach Diego Simeone brought on Lenglet (back from a yellow-red card suspension) and Gallagher in place of Gimenez and Koke. His counterpart, Botafogo coach Renato Paiva, saw no reason to make any changes to his starting lineup after the 1-0 win against PSG .
The starting position was clear: Botafogo needed a draw to win the group, but they couldn't lose by three or more goals or face elimination. Atletico, on the other hand, had to be prepared to win by three goals if PSG beat the Seattle Sounders in the parallel match.
One big chance on both sides - No penalty for AtleticoThe first chances of the game belonged to the Brazilians, but Savarino was denied in a one-on-one by Oblak (10th minute), while Artur's deflected long-range shot flew just wide (15th minute). After that, Atletico increasingly took control, but they were hardly dangerous for a long time. Barrio's long-range effort (21st minute) landed right in the arms of John (21st minute).
The Rojiblancos' best chance then fell to Alvarez, who shot wide of the left corner from a promising position on the right side of the box (41'). Shortly before halftime, a VAR intervention almost awarded Atletico a penalty. However, Gregore's foul on Alvarez was not penalized because Sörlöth had fouled Jair with a slight shove beforehand (45', 2').
Griezmann's goal not enoughAfter the break, Atletico continued to dominate the game, but Diego Simeone's team again posed little threat in front of the opposing goal. Giuliano Simeone's header (56') and Grizemann's cheeky effort into the near post (60') were nothing more than near-goals.
Botafogo's biggest chance after the break came out of nowhere, but Oblak made a brilliant save from Igor Jesus' volley (67'). As the game progressed, Atletico increasingly tried high balls to Sörloth, but this too was unsuccessful. Only when it was already too late did Atletico finally score. Griezmann poked over a half-height cross from Alvarez. There were no chances after that either, with Samuel Lino's harmless long-range shot remaining (90+3).
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Thus, despite six points in the group, Atletico failed to qualify, finishing third, because PSG won the parallel match 2-0 . The decisive factor was ultimately the heavy opening defeat against PSG (0-4), which ultimately tipped the scales in a three-way match between the three teams on the same number of points and evenly matched in the head-to-head comparison. Botafogo, meanwhile, as second in the group, will face the winner of Group A – either Palmeiras or Inter Miami – next Saturday (6 p.m.).
