Home SPORTS EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL: Atletico Madrid whip Marseille to win Europa League

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL: Atletico Madrid whip Marseille to win Europa League

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Antoine Griezmann surely deserves some accolades, as he scored twice on Wednesday to help Atletico Madrid beat Marseille 3-0 at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, a result that saw them lift their third UEFA Europa League title.

Griezmann capitalised on a mistake from Marseille defender Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa before calmly tucking home after 21 minutes, then latched on to a pass from Koke to dink the ball over Steve Mandanda four minutes into the second half.

Gabi added a third in the 89th minute, picking out the bottom corner after finding himself in space to seal the win.

Review:

Griezmann put on a clinical display in Lyon, unlike compatriot Valere Germain, who missed a gilt-edged opportunity to put Marseille ahead inside five minutes when he ballooned over the bar while one-on-one with Jan Oblak.

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The Atleti man made no such mistake at the other end, though, when Anguissa failed to control goalkeeper Steve Mandanda’s pass. Griezmann pounced then celebrated with his customary “Take the L” dance.

As the Europa League’s official Twitter account noted, the Frenchman has played a starring role in Atletico’s European campaign.

He found the net again—his 29th goal of the season in all competitions—with a fine finish early in the second half to double their lead.

The striker is primed to star at the World Cup in Russia this summer, and France’s hopes will rest largely on his shoulders.

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Dimitri Payet’s Exit Killed Off Marseille, and It Could Be a Blow for France

At the start of the match, it quickly became clear that Marseille’s biggest chance of pulling off an upset relied on captain Dimitri Payet.

The playmaker showed plenty of intent early on—his sublime pass deserved a far better finish from Germain in the opening minutes—and if anyone was going to unlock Atletico’s resolute defence, it was him.

Payet played despite concerns over a thigh problem ahead of the match, but he lasted just half an hour before limping off.

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Indeed, the Ligue 1 outfit barely troubled Los Rojiblancos from that point on.

The injury could prove to be an even bigger blow to Payet with the World Cup fast approaching.

 

 

 

Additional Report by Bleacher

 

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