Atletico Madrid bowed out of the FIFA Club World Cup despite a late 1-0 win over Botafogo in Pasadena, becoming the first European side eliminated from this year’s tournament.
Needing a three-goal margin to stand any chance of progressing, Diego Simeone’s side fell short despite a spirited late push.
Botafogo, whose five-game winning streak came to an end, held firm and advanced as Group B runners-up on goal difference.
Jefferson Savarino had the game’s first big chance for the Brazilians early on, but his weak finish was easily smothered by Jan Oblak.
Atletico’s best moment of the first half came through Julian Alvarez, but the forward sliced wide from close range.
A penalty claim at the end of the half sparked drama, but VAR intervened to rule out the decision due to a foul by Alexander Sørloth in the build-up.
Substitute Antoine Griezmann added urgency after the break, and finally found the net in the 87th minute, slamming in from close range.
But it came too late, with Atleti’s earlier 4-0 thrashing by PSG leaving them with too much ground to make up.
Botafogo will now face Group A winners in the quarter-finals, with a potential all-Brazilian clash against Palmeiras on the cards.
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