Atletico Madrid crash out of Club World Cup despite beating Botafogo as Paris Saint-Germain top group | OneFootball

The Spanish heavyweights head back to the drawing board

Atletico Madrid crashed out of the Club World Cup group stage on Monday night despite battling to a 1-0 win over Botafogo.

The Brazilian outfit will move on to the knockout stages alongside Paris Saint-Germain, who beat Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the opposite fixture to summit Group B.

It marks a disappointing end to a forgettable campaign in the new-look tournament for Diego Simeone’s men, who suffered a 4-0 rout to PSG in their opening tie.

Jubilation: The Botafogo faithful celebrate at Atletico’s expense

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

A win and a considerable goal difference boost were needed on the final matchday to see Atletico through to the knockout stages. To achieve only one of the two was not enough.

Botafogo stunned the European champions PSG 1-0 last time out, and did just enough against Atletico to finish in the top half of the group.

It was a frustrating outing for the Spaniards, who were denied a penalty by VAR in the second half. For long stretches, it looked to be one of those days for the Rojiblanco, who looked fatigued and frustrated as they scored just once from 23 shots on the day.

Julian Alvarez dished a brilliant cross to Antoine Griezmann to fire home and open the scoring on 87 minutes, but it was too little, too late.

Starboys: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue starred as PSG downed Seattle Sounders

AP

Two more were required to flip Botafogo’s goal difference advantage, but they did not come, despite Samuel Lino forcing a strong save from the Botafogo keeper deep in injury time

The two clubs finished level on points but the Brazilians edged ahead, Atletico undone by the four goals conceded to PSG earlier in the tournament.

In the opposite Group B fixture, which kicked off simultaneously, PSG confirmed their progression after a straightforward outing in Seattle.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi were on the scoresheet as the Parisians cruised past the tournament co-hosts, who closed out their Club World Cup campaign pointless despite playing all three group stage matches at their home stadium.

The two sides’ round of 16 opponents will depend on the outcome of Group A, whose winner will face Botafogo. The runners-up will have the unenviable task of facing PSG, who remain one of the favourites to win the tournament.