Big Drama As Atletico Madrid Stage Stunning Comeback in UCL, Beat Tough Opponents to Reach Knockout Stage

Big Drama As Atletico Madrid Stage Stunning Comeback in UCL, Beat Tough Opponents to Reach Knockout Stage

Babajide Orevba, Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:52 PM
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  • The Los Colchoneros began Tuesday, December 7, bottom of the group
  • But a 3-1 win over Porto coupled with AC Milan’s defeat ensured they progressed to the last 16
  • The fiery encounter saw three red cards, with one issued to someone who was not on the pitch

Atletico Madrid stormed into the last 16 of the Champions league thanks to a 3-1 win over Porto in an extraordinary match that saw three red cards.

Atletico Madrid
The Los Colchoneros began Tuesday, December 7, bottom of the group. Photo by Zed Jameson.
Source: Getty Images

Diego Simeone’s men knew nothing short of a win would do for his side, who were in the race for a last 16 spot along with AC Milan and Porto.

It was Antoine Griezmann who was the hero of the day as the Frenchman scored and had a hand in two other goals to give his side all three points against the Portuguese giants.

After a goal less first half, Griezmann have his side the lead in the 53rd minute, tapping from close range after a melee in the box.

Yannick Carrasco then saw red in the 67th minute in a bizarre incident that saw him take a swing an a Porto player in full glare of the cameras and the referee.

Three minutes later and with tempers flaring, Porto’s Wendell Nascimento Borges was also sent off.

Late in the game, Atletico went forward in a brilliant counter attack and Angel Correa’s low shot doubled his team’s advantage.

There was still time for a third goal for Atletico as Rodrigo De Paul made it 3-0 deep in injury time.

Porto’s consolation goal came from Sergio Oliveira, who pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.

It was an impressive showing from Atletico Madrid, who began the night bottom of the group, but somehow managed to pull what looked like an impossible mission.

Notably, the team had to cope without the services of Luis Suarez, who came off after a quarter of an hour in tears after suffering an early injury.

Atletico finish second in the group, with Liverpool the group winners.

Liverpool make history with win over AC Milan

In the other clash, Liverpool became the first English team to win all six of their group games in the Champions League after coming from behind to stun AC Milan 2-1.

Mohammed Salah continued his goal-scoring form, getting the equaliser after Milan went ahead through Fikayo Tomori in the 28th minute.

Divock Origi, who has developed a knack of scoring important goals for Liverpool, then turned the game on its head in the 55th minute.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
Ibitoye Shittu photo
Ibitoye Shittu
Editor- Local Desk
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