Within eight minutes on Thursday, Anfield saw their Europa League final aspirations provided then revoked, with an extra time goal from Atlético Madrid sending the Spaniards on to Hamburg, their 1-2 loss putting them past Liverpool on away goals.
Forlán, Atlético Stun Liverpool In Extra Time, Make Europa Final
It was in the 103rd minute that Diego Forlán ended his conspicuously quiet day, finding himself open at Pepe Reina’s far post to meet a cross from Atlético’s right flank. The Uruguayan striker’s finish brought Atléti within one on the day, countering Yossi Benayoun’s goal eight minutes earlier.
More importantly: Atlético Madrid had a road goal to augment Forlán's goal last week at the Vicente Calderon.
With it, Atlético’s beguiling trip through Europa League earned one, final stop: Nordbank Arena in Hamburg, where the Spaniards will meet Fulham in May 12’s final.
It was a stunning turn of events, sending groans of shock through a rabid Anfield crowd, still buzzing after Benayoun had beaten Atlético goalkeeper David De Gea far post in the 95th minute. The Israeli midfielder’s left footed shot from fourteen yards out went through the out-stretched arms of the 19-year-old, putting the Reds up five minutes into extra time.
That extra time was forced when Alberto Aquiliani continued his strong, recent run-of-form with an adroit 44th minute finish.
But it was Forlán, last season’s Pichichi winner, who stole the match with his second goal of the tie, continuing an improbable season for the Colchoneros that sees them tenth in the Primera Division while finalists in Europa League and the Copa del Rey.
The tie-winning goal will highlight lineup decisions from Liverpool manager Rafa Benítez’ that saw left back Glen Johnson switched to right back, accounting for injuries that forced midfielder Javier Mascherano to right back.
On the match-winning goal, a challenge lost by Johnson allowed the fateful cross to come in, targeted at a far post Mascherano should have been covering.
With the result, Atlético Madrid advances to face another English club, Fulham, in the competition’s May 12 final, the Cottagers having defeated Hamburger SV thirty minutes earlier.
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