UEFA Champions League: Mario Hermoso Wondergoal Fires Atletico Madrid into Last-16 – News18

Atletico Madrid booked their place within the Champions League final-16 Tuesday, a luxurious volley from defender Mario Hermoso and two catastrophic personal targets firing them to an exciting 3-1 win over Dutch champions Feyenoord.

The Group E end result additionally meant Italy’s Lazio progressed to the knock-out part after their very own 2-0 win over Celtic, who had been eradicated together with Feyenoord.

Buoyed by the ever intimidating ambiance in De Kuip for what was a should-win match, Feyenoord began the brighter, with Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh almost poking dwelling after eight minutes.

Atletico missed a gilt-edged probability simply minutes later, a silky transfer releasing Spain worldwide striker Alvaro Morata who fluffed his one-on-one with the keeper.

But the Spanish giants had been forward on 14 minutes, a calamitous piece of defending silencing the rowdy Rotterdam crowd.

The Feyenoord defence did not take care of an innocuous lobbed cross and the ball dribbled into the objective off proper-again Lutsharel Geertruida after a mixture-up along with his ‘keeper.

The hosts seemed shell-shocked and nearly let in Morata again but he somehow contrived to put his header wide.

Atletico came into the match in outstanding form and proved too much on the night for the Feyenoord defence, which struggled to cope with the movement of Morata and French star Antoine Griezmann.

But the Dutch champions are no pushover, especially at home, and continued to press, furious that Minteh was not awarded a penalty when he went down in the box.

And it was Feyenoord that ended a pulsating first-half on top, giving manager Arne Slot something to work with at half-time.

Los Rojiblancos nearly gifted their opponents a goal themselves after the break, veteran Belgian international Axel Witsel being caught in possession but Santiago Gimenez couldn’t rating.

Feyenoord had been punished minutes later as Atletico doubled their benefit with a marvel objective from defender Mario Hermoso, who volleyed dwelling from an improbably tight angle.

The insurance coverage objective knocked the stuffing out of the house aspect, because the Spanish aspect confirmed their class with sweeping strikes that sliced open the Feyenoord defence.

Morata and Griezmann got here near placing the icing on the cake for Atletico earlier than defensive midfielder Mats Wieffer rose highest at a nook to move dwelling and provides De Kuip some hope.

An uncomfortable last 12 minutes beckoned for the Spanish aspect, however one other personal objective put clear water between the 2 sides and sealed the end result.

Defending a viciously whipped Atletico free kick, Feyenoord striker Gimenez headed past the attain of his personal goalkeeper, finishing an evening of heartbreak for the Dutch champions and their followers.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)