Atletico Madrid’s Club World Cup journey ended prematurely, as they exited in the group stage despite defeating Brazil’s Botafogo 1-0 in their final Group B match. Diego Simeone’s men finished level on six points with both Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo, but a weaker goal difference saw them bow out.
The decisive blow came from their opening 4-0 defeat to PSG—a result that haunted them throughout the tournament. Although they rallied to win their next two matches, the damage had already been done.
Arriving in the U.S. with high expectations, Atletico boasted stars such as Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez. But their overall performance left much to be desired. Against Botafogo, Griezmann scored the lone goal, but Atletico struggled to break down the Brazilian side and had to rely on goalkeeper Jan Oblak to maintain the lead.
Simeone voiced frustration after the elimination, blaming questionable officiating. “We gave everything. With six points, we could have qualified, but the PSG match cost us. The refereeing decisions went against us again,” he told DAZN. A penalty reversal after a VAR review added to his dissatisfaction.
Despite the narrow win over Botafogo, deeper problems persist for Atletico. The team showed little offensive creativity and continued to struggle defensively—flaws that have contributed to four straight seasons without a trophy. Many supporters are beginning to question whether Simeone’s leadership still fits a team that appears stagnant.
Meanwhile, their arch-rivals Real Madrid look set to continue in the tournament, adding further frustration for the red-and-white half of the Spanish capital. With another summer of difficult questions ahead, Atletico Madrid must rethink their direction if they hope to challenge for silverware again.
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