Atlético Madrid beat Botafogo 1–0 but crash out of the Club World Cup on goal difference.
Antoine Griezmann struck in the 87th minute to seal victory in Orlando, but the three points weren’t enough. All three teams, Atlético, PSG, and Botafogo, finished on six points in Group B. Atlético’s heavy 4–0 loss to PSG on matchday one proved decisive.
Embed from Getty ImagesDiego Simeone’s side needed a three-goal win to qualify. They created chances throughout, 23 shots to Botafogo’s seven but couldn’t break through until the closing minutes.
Julián Álvarez squared for Griezmann, who beat the keeper with a low left-footed finish off the post. It was deserved on the balance of play, but came too late to change their fate.
At the start of the game, Jan Oblak had denied Savarino and Igor Jesus to keep Atleti in control. Conor Gallagher and Pablo Barrios were bright in midfield, while Álvarez and Alexander Sörloth both came close.
Embed from Getty ImagesDiego Simeone expressed frustration at VAR calls, including a possible penalty incident waved away in the second half.
Atlético ended the group with two wins and one loss, but it’s the defeat to PSG that ends their run. They become the first European team in recent Club World Cup history to win two games and still fail to progress.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Pejuola Ransome
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