Atlético Madrid Advance to Champions League Last 16 with Comfortable Win

Atlético Madrid secured a 4-1 win over RB Salzburg to advance to the Champions League last 16. Get the latest UCL updates, match highlights, and results.

Atlético Madrid booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a convincing 4-1 win over RB Salzburg. This victory marked the team's first-ever set of three successive UCL away wins, showcasing their impressive form in the competition.

With their elimination from the competition already confirmed, Salzburg seemed to lack motivation, and their performance reflected this. Atlético Madrid, on the other hand, assumed control from the start, with Rodrigo De Paul firing an early shot wide. However, it didn't take long for the visitors to take the lead.

Less than five minutes into the match, Giuliano Simeone, the son of manager Diego Simeone, scored the opening goal. Played in by Julian Alvarez, Simeone arrowed a finish into the bottom corner, setting Atleti on their way to a fifth win from six attempts on the final matchday of the UCL group stage.

Atlético Madrid continued to dominate, doubling their lead before the quarter-hour mark. Simeone turned provider, cleverly dinking the onrushing Salzburg goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and squaring the ball for Antoine Griezmann to slam home at the back post. This goal cemented Atlético Madrid's control over the match.

Atleti finish in 5th after 5 wins in a row 🔴⚪️#UCL pic.twitter.com/YNRk1vBuJl

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Antoine Griezmann continued to cause problems for Salzburg's defense, finding himself denied from close range by Alexander Schlager once again. However, he wouldn't be kept off the scoresheet for long, as he expertly slotted into the bottom corner before the break. This goal came courtesy of a well-timed pass from Samuel Lino, effectively ending the match as a contest.

Thomas Letsch's Salzburg emerged as a more competitive outfit after the interval, although this was partly due to Atleti taking their foot off the gas. Despite this, Simeone's men remained a threat on the break, showcasing their clinical counter-attacking ability.

The league phase is complete ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Ix7MvcqI4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Atleti added a fourth goal just after the hour-mark, as Rodrigo De Paul slotted Marcos Llorente in on the right. Llorente then fired a precise shot into the far corner, effectively sealing the win for the visitors.

Salzburg's attention turned to scoring their first goal on home soil in this league phase, which they finally achieved in the first minute of stoppage time. Alexander Schlager's searching long ball found Adam Daghim in behind, allowing the forward to produce an audacious chip over Jan Oblak.

Despite Salzburg's late consolation goal, Atleti secured a comfortable 4-1 win. Rodrigo Riquelme threatened a fifth goal for Atleti in the closing stages, but it wasn't needed. The victory marked Atleti's seventh successive win against Austrian opposition in Europe's premier club competition, as they advanced directly to the last 16, avoiding the play-offs.