Atlético Madrid Champions Of Europa League After 2-1 Win Over Fulham

Two goals from Diego Forlán - the second deep into extra time - won Atlético Madrid the first edition of the Europa League, defeating Fulham 2-1 in Hamburg.

Forlán’s second goal came with five minutes left in a match that looked destined for penalty kicks, having gone near-eighty minutes between Simon Davies’ first half equalizer and the match-winning goal.

The winning movement started when Forlán’s strike partner, Kün Aguero, saved a ball from going out for goal kick and, after facing-up right back Chris Baird picked-out Forlán making a run from far-to-near post, toward the edge of the six yard box. Forlán one-timed Aguero’s chipped pass under center half Brede Hangeland, toward the far post, barely alluding a diving Mark Schwarzer.

The goal secured Atlético’s first piece of silverware since winning a domestic double in 1995-96. The title is the Atleti’s first European trophy since winning the European Cup in 1973-74.

It was the second consecutive round Forlán had eliminated an English side in extra time, accomplishing the same feat against Liverpool in the semifinals, where his stoppage time goal at Anfield sent Atlético through on away goals.

The final was a match Atlético controlled, outshooting Fulham 10-3 (shots on goal) while maintaining 54 percent of the possession, looking more ambitious than the Cottagers when they had the ball.

That is not to say Fulham was overmatched. Forlán hit the post early and eventually capped Atlético’s strong start with the opening score - finishing a whiffed shot from Agüero that happened to find him striding toward goal. Still, Fulham responded quickly, creating Simon Davies’ second goal of the competition.

Forward Zoltan Gera’s chipped pass was volleyed perfectly by Davies, giving young goalkeeper David De Gea little chance to stop the equalizer.

It was the second consecutive round in which Davies has scored - his only two goals of the competition, also having gone scoreless in the Premier League.

After the winger’s goal the match lacked strong scoring chances until extra time, when Atlético saw Aguero come close in the 105th minute, sliding on to a ball in front of goal only to see his shot find the side netting.

Aguero would make amends with his second assist of the match ten minutes later - he and Forlán combining for the winning goal.

With the win, Atlético guarantees they will reenter the competition next season, though the Atleti had another route into Europe had they last this match. Atlético remains in line for a Europa-Cope del Rey double, facing Sevilla on May 19 for the Spanish domestic cup.