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It took nearly the entire second half, but relentless attacks on goal paid off for Antoine Griezmann in the 87th minute on Monday.
After teammate Ángel Correa’s shot was blocked by a defender, Griezmann sent a left-footed shot into the net to lift Atlético Madrid to a 1-0 victory over Botafogo in Group B action of the Club World Cup in Pasadena, California.
Unfortunately, it was not enough to send the Spaniards on to the knockout rounds as Atlético Madrid needed a victory of at least three goals to advance. Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-0 on Monday, and Botafogo – who beat PSG earlier this week – claimed the group’s top two spots.
In the 10th minute, Botafogo had a prime opportunity to strike first after a through ball to Jefferson Savarino gave the striker a run at goal. Atlético Madrid’s Jan Oblak, however, stretched out to keep the match scoreless.
Julián Alvarez nearly gave Atlético Madrid the lead just before the half. The forward collected a pass just outside the area, turned and whipped a right-footed shot, but his attempt was pulled wide.
Early in the second half, Atlético again put the pressure on Botafogo with Griezmann attempting to sneak in a left-footed shot by the near post, but it caromed off the post and out of play.
In the 67th minute, Botafogo went on the offensive as Cuiabano lofted a cross into the box that Igor Jesus hit first-time. Again, Oblak was there to punch the attempt away to maintain a clean sheet.
Atlético had several chances to build upon their lead after Griezmann’s late goal, but Botafogo continued to deny the Spaniards.
PSG 2-0 Seattle Sounders
In Group B’s other game, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the first half, Achraf Hakimi struck in the second and PSG secured their place in the last 16 with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders.
Gianluigi Donnarumma kept his second clean sheet of the tournament in front of the Sounders home supporters without having to make a save as PSG closed out their Group B campaign and rebounded from a 1-0 defeat to Botafogo on Thursday.
They’ll face the second-place finisher from Group A in a second-round match on Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia.
Seattle (0-3-0, 0 points) became the second MLS team to be eliminated following LAFC’s exit after their 1-0 loss to ES Tunis in Group D on Thursday. Inter Miami, which is guaranteed to advance with a draw against Palmeiras later Thursday in Group A, could end up as PSG’s next opponent.
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Hakimi’s goal came on a swift counter moments after one of the Sounders’ best chances. Eventually, Bradley Barcola slalomed into the penalty area from the left, then picked out Hakimi on the opposite side of the box.
Hakimi had time to take a composing touch before firing in an emphatic finish from about 10 yards out.
As expected, PSG had the majority of the early chances. Désiré Doué’s effort forced Stefan Frei into a sprawling save in the 12th minute.
But the Sounders had some success pressing high and nearly took a shock lead in the 19th minute after turning PSG over at the edge of their own box - only for Jesús Ferreira to fire his hurried effort well high of the target.
The Parisians were fortunate with their 35th minute breakthrough. Vitinha’s initial strike from the edge of the penalty area through traffic appeared to be heading wide of the right post. Instead it struck Kvaratskhelia’s back, redirecting it neatly inside the upright before Frei could react.
Twice PSG nearly doubled their lead early in the second. After a promising attack down the left, Doué’s 56th-minute attempt from about 10 yards was blocked by Nouhou’s critical sprawling intervention. Four minutes later, João Neves volleyed Hakimi’s outswinging service from the right just wide of the left post.
