90' Off goes the final whistle. Atletico Madrid hammers Marseille 3-0 to clinch its third Europa League title.
89' GOAL! Atletico captain Gabi fires a low drive into the far corner to make it 3-0 and virtually seal the tie.
81' How close was that?! Mitroglou fires a fine header but is denied by the post. The game would've completely changed had that found the net! Mitroglou's really unlucky to have not gotten on the scoresheet.
67' Marseille trying to claw its way back into this tie but to no avail. The Ateltico defence manages to hold fort and the scoreline remains 2-0 with a little over 20 minutes to play.
60' One would've thought Simeone's absence from the touchline might hamper Atletico's prospects but it looks quite the contrary. 60 minutes in, Atletico leads 2-0.
Doubt it gets better than this!
49' Griezmann makes it two!!!!! He coolly chips the ball over Mandanda to double Atletico's lead. Oh what a game the French forward is having!
The goal was a result of yet another defensive error. A poor Marseille throw-in wasn't dealt with and Koke plays in a delicious pass to Griezmann who makes no mistake.
Here's an interesting stat map:
45' And that's the end of the first half. Marseille put up a spirited display but it's Atleti that goes into the interval on top with a one-goal lead. Marseille has looked threatening on multiple occasions but it remains to be seen if the team do without its charismatic captain Dimitri Payet.
42' Marseille with a sharp attack but the Atleti defence scrambles clear.
37' A lunging high boot tackle from Amavi. It's quite reckless and earns him a booking.
32' Uh oh, here's some trouble. Payet seems to be in terrible pain and leaves the pitch in tears. It's going to be interesting to see how this affects the Marseille. Lopez is the new man in.
24' Marseille wins a freekick. However, Payet's delivery fails to find the finishing touch.
21' GRIEZMANN SCORESSSSS! Poor defence from Marseille and Griezmann makes the most of the chance to make it 1-0. Mandanda makes a terrible pass down the middle to Anguissa, who fails to deal with the ball and Griezmann pounces on the loose ball to slot into goal.
15' Koke attempts a volley but its nowhere near the target.
12' Sarr unleashes a low drive from distance but his attempt is well wide.
7' Atletico launches its first attack of the game but finds no way past the Marseille defence.
4' WHAT A CHANCE! Valere Germain was played beautifully into the box by Dimitri Payet but the striker loops his effort wide of the target.
The referee's whistle blows and Marseille sends the ball out of play straight from kick-off!
The players are on the pitch and the 2018 Europa League final is ON!
Fernando Torres and Timo Werner find themselves on the Atleti bench.
Here's Marseille's starting line up for the evening:
Great news for Marseille! Dimitri Payet has overcome a muscle problem to take his place in Marseille's starting XI. READ: Payet starts for Marseille in Europa League final
Marseille will be hopeful of making count whatever 'home' comfort it can muster to claim its first major European title since 1993. The EUEFA uropa League final also offers Marseille the best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League as it sits fourth in the Ligue 1 table with the final round matches left to play.
READ: Simeone and Co. look to recreate magic of 2012
For Atletico, the match is another shot at putting things right in a decider after failing to get over the line in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals. It will, however, have to do so without its talismanic manager Diego Simeone on the touchline, who is serving a touchline ban.
Welcome to Sportsar's live coverage of the Europa League final between Marseille and Atletico Madrid from the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.
Comments
SHARE