Final Whistle: Atletico Madrid Secure CL Qualification, Porto to Europa League
Oliveira grabs a late consolation goal for Porto from the spot kick, but Atletico Madrid seal their qualification to the Champions League round of 16 with a 3-1 win, while the Dragons will continue their European adventure in the Europa League
As for Milan, they will be left to rue their luck after dropping too many points in the early matchdays.
Thanks for joining our live updates, and keep an eye on our coverage for everything related to Italian and European football.
Milan 1-2 Liverpool
Porto 1-3 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Atletico Madrid, 7 points
3- Porto, 5 points
4- Milan, 4 points
Minute 90: Argentine Duo Seal Atletico Win
Once again, the Spaniards scored against the run of play. Griezmann leads a counter attack and feeds Angel Correa who scores with a clinical finish.
And yet, Simeone’s men insisted on humiliating their fallen opponents. Former Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul adds the third following a goal-mouth scramble.
Milan 1-2 Liverpool
Porto 0-3 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Atletico Madrid, 7 points
3- Porto, 5 points
4- Milan, 4 points
Minute 85: Atletico Hanging On
Porto are still pushing for an equalizer that would qualify them, but Atletico Madrid are fiercely defending their lead.
On the other hand, Milan appear to have raised the white flag.
Milan 1-2 Liverpool
Porto 0-1 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Atletico Madrid, 7 points
3- Porto, 5 points
4- Milan, 4 points
Minute 70: Two Red Cards and Complete Chaos in Porto
With Milan out of the picture for now, all eyes are on the clash between Porto and Atletico which has turned into a real battle.
Carrasco was dismissed for the Spaniards, and the Portuguese were given a numerical advantage, but ended up wasting it as Wendel was given his marching orders following a chaotic touchline brawl.
Minute 56: Griezmann Put Atleti in Second, Origi Scores for Liverpool
Porto wasted two major chances by Mehdi Taremi, and Griezmann made them pay for it by nodding the easiest of goals as a corner kick reached him after sailing over everyone else.
On the other hand, Maignan made a big save, but once again conceded from the rebound, as Origi scored the second for Liverpool
Atleti are suddenly second.
Milan 1-2 Liverpool
Porto 0-1 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Atletico Madrid, 7 points
3- Porto, 5 points
4- Milan, 4 points
Halftime: Porto are 45 Minutes Away from Qualification
Porto and Atletico have neutralized one another as their encounter remains goalless.
For few minutes, Milan were in the driver seat after taking the lead through Tomori, but Salah’s strike brought Liverpool back on level terms.
Stay tuned for what is set to be an electrifying second half in Milano and Portugal.
Milan 1-1 Liverpool
Porto 0-0 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Porto, 6 points
3- Milan, 5 points
4- Atletico Madrid, 5 points
Minute 36: Salah Equalizes for Liverpool
Well, Milan’s joy didn’t last for too long, as Salah smashes home after latching on the rebound. Porto will be pleased with this one.
Milan 1-1 Liverpool
Porto 0-0 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Porto, 6 points
3- Milan, 5 points
4- Atletico Madrid, 5 points
Minute 29: Tomori Lights up the San Siro
Our first goal of evening comes at the San Siro stadium, as Fikayo Tomori breaks the deadlock in favor of the hosts.
Alisson couldn’t clear a corner kick in the right manner, allowing the defender to pounce on the rebound and put the Rossoneri in the qualifying seat.
Milan 1-0 Liverpool
Porto 0-0 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 15 points
2- Milan, 7 points
3- Atletico Madrid, 6 points
4- Atletico Madrid, 5 points
Minute 21: Costa Deny Atletico
Atletico are desperate to score, but Costa pulls off a double save to deny Griezmann and Llorente. Porto are still qualified as it stands.
Milan 0-0 Liverpool
Porto 0-0 Atletico Madrid
1- Liverpool, 16 points
2- Porto, 6 points
3- Milan, 5 points
4- Atletico Madrid, 5 points
Minute 13: Suarez Leaves the Pitch Injured
Still no goals in either match, but Luis Suarez had to leave the pitch in tears after sustaining an injury. A major blow for the Spanish champions. The young Matheus Cunha replaces him.
At the San Siro, the most exciting action thus far came from the touchline, with Pioli and Klopp finding something to argue about.
Lovely stuff!
Porto vs Atletico Madrid – Official Lineups
In Portugal, Sergio Conceicao and Diego Simeone will both adopt a 4-4-2 tactical scheme.
Porto XI (4-4-2): Costa; Mario, Mbemba, Pepe, Sanusi; Otavio, Vitinha, Grujic, Diaz; Evanilson, Taremi
Atletico XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Vrsaljko, Kondogbia, Hermoso; Lemar, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Girzmann, Suarez
Milan vs Liverpool – Official Lineups
Both sides won’t have their best possible formations on the pitch on Tuesday, but for two very different reasons.
Milan are currently suffering from a major injury crisis as they’re missing the likes of Simon Kjaer, Davide Calabria, Ismael Bennacer and Ante Rebic, while Liverpool have decided to rotate since they have already sealed the group’s top spot.
Stefano Pioli will adopt a 4-3-3 formation spearheaded by the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will be supported by Brahim Diaz and Junior Messias. Franck Kessie and Sandro Tonali will operate in the middle, with Rade Krunic pushing forward.
On the other hand, the majority of the Red’s starting lineup will be rested, but Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah are still in line to start alongside the hero from the weekend, Divock Origi
Milan XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessié, Tonali, Krunic; Messias, Ibrahimovic, Diaz
Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Williams, Konaté, Philips, Tsmikas; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Morton, Minamino; Salah, Origi, Mané
Our 11 Rossoneri ready for battle ⚔️? #MilanLiverpool #UCL #SempreMilan @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/p6U1645bl3
— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 7, 2021
The Situation
As it stands before the final matchday, Liverpool have thus far enjoyed a perfect record, as they top the group with 15 points. The Reds have very little to play for after securing top spot.
On the other hand, the other three sides are still embroiled in a major battle to snatch the second position.
Porto currently sit second with five points and a win for them will be more than sufficient. Meanwhile Milan and Atletico are right behind with four points, and things are a little more complicated for them.
The Spanish champions will need to beat their Portuguese opponent away from home, and make sure that the Rossoneri doesn’t match their result.
As for the Italians, they must beat the Reds (which is far from being a simple task on its own), and hope for a draw in the other encounter. If Atletico win, Stefano Pioli’s men can still qualify on goal difference if they match their result, but a Porto victory will end their hopes for sure.
Hello and Welcome
While the majority of the round of 16 spots have already been decided, group B has remained loyal to its “group of death” tag, as the battle for qualification to the next round of the Champions League is set to go to the wire. Therefore, the Cult of Calcio will bring you live updates from the San Siro encounter between Milan and Liverpool as well the clash between Porto and Atletico Madrid.