Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday. The team lost 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg but progressed with a 7-5 aggregate victory.
Atletico Madrid arrived in London with a commanding 5-2 lead from the first leg at the Metropolitano. Spanish forward Marcos Llorente opened the scoring after six minutes in that match. Then French forward Antoine Griezmann added the second goal in the 13th minute.
Argentine striker Julian Alvarez struck twice, including once in the 14th minute and again after the break. Spanish defender Robin Le Normand completed the 5-2 scoreline in the first leg.
Tottenham Hotspur fought back at home. English forward Dominic Solanke and others pushed forward, yet Atletico defended solidly for long periods.
Tottenham Hotspur took the lead early in the second leg. Xavi Simons scored twice for the hosts. The Dutch midfielder converted clinical finishes to give Tottenham hope of a comeback. Atletico Madrid responded with two goals. Julian Alvarez netted one, and another Atletico player added the second to keep the aggregate safe.
The match ended 3-2 to Tottenham. However, the three-goal deficit from the first leg proved too large to overcome. Atletico Madrid managed the game smartly in the closing stages and secured qualification.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke after the match. He said: “The five goals in the first leg have taken us through, and there are positives to take tonight, so into the next round we go. We knew how to control the tempo of the game. We obviously wanted to win on the night, and had opportunities to do so, but we’re happy to go through to the quarter-finals.”
Atletico Madrid now advance to the quarter-finals. The Spanish side will face Barcelona in the next round.
