Atletico Madrid clinch Europa League after Antoine Griezmann deals Marseille double blow
Marseille 0-3 Atletico Madrid: Griezmann pounced on an early mistake and added a second before the captain Gabi wrapped up the result
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Your support makes all the difference.Antoine Griezmann struck twice as Atletico Madrid powered past Marseille to lift their third Europa League title in nine years.
The 27-year-old, who faces a summer of speculation over a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano, scored in each half – with Gabi striking late on to seal a 3-0 win for Atleti.
Coach Diego Simeone watched on from the stands having been hit with a four-game ban for being sent off during the semi-final first-leg at Arsenal but still saw his side ease to victory.
Madrid saw off the Gunners to reach the final in Lyon, with their fans vastly outnumbered by those making the short trip from Marseille.
Rudi Garcia’s side did not create enough to break down one of Europe’s toughest defences and their chances of causing an upset took a blow with Dimitri Payet limping off injured in the first half.
Griezmann, who scored in every knockout round for Madrid after they dropped down from the Champions League, proved to be the difference with two smart finishes more than enough to seal the trophy.
The French side should have been ahead inside the opening four minutes with Payet feeding Valere Germain, who could only fire wide when through on goal. Adil Rami shot wide shortly afterwards and the Ligue 1 outfit were more than holding their own until they all-but gifted the opener to Griezmann.
Zambo Anguissa could not control Steve Mandanda’s ball out from the back and Atleti pounced, Gabi nipping in to play in Griezmann who finished coolly to put Simeone’s men ahead.
Marseille’s chances were given a blow as captain and talisman Payet was forced over with a little over half an hour on the clock.
The former West Ham man had been struggling with a muscle injury ahead of the final and was in tears as he made way for Maxime Lopez.
Griezmann doubled the advantage less than five minutes after the interval, Koke providing the assist for a clever dinked finish for the France forward.
Diego Godin headed over a Griezmann corner shortly afterwards as the LaLiga side started to dominate proceedings.
Marseille were struggling to create the chances required to reduce the arrears as Madrid started to kill the game in a manner they are renowned for, although substitute Kostas Mitroglou hit the post with a header.
Skipper Gabi added a rare goal late on to secure a comfortable night at the office for Atleti, who brought on Fernando Torres in stoppage time for his final appearance for the club.
Griezmann pounced in the 21st minute, slotting coolly into the bottom left corner after being set up by midfielder Gabi’s first-time pass. Marseille’s woeful defending contributed, as midfielder Zambo Anguissa failed to control a needlessly casual pass out from goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and the loose ball bounced straight to Gabi.
The irrepressible Griezmann started and finished the move for his second, four minutes into the second half. He athletically won a high ball in midfield and quickly swapped passes with Koke before gliding into the penalty area unchallenged and delicately clipping the ball over the onrushing Mandanda.
He celebrated both goals with an energetic celebratory dance from popular video game Fortnite, although he couldn’t do it as well the second time around as he was quickly mobbed by team-mates.
Marseille began with urgency, but striker Valere Germain shot over from playmaker Dimitri Payet’s slick pass after three minutes. The French side’s hopes faded after Payet went off injured in the 31st minute.
PA
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