Marseille 0 Atletico Madrid 3: Atletico Madrid Seal Europa League GloryAntoine Griezmann
scored twice as Atletico Madrid swept aside Marseille in Lyon to win the Europa League for the third time in nine years.
France forward Griezmann opened the scoring by punishing Andre Zambo Anguissa’s poor touch to coolly slot home, then casually dinked in a second.
Captain Gabi drilled in the third goal late on as Atletico again lifted the trophy they also won in 2010 and 2012.
The outcome could have been different had Marseille forward Valere Germain taken an early chance, before Griezmann’s lethal finishing allowed Atletico to take control.
Marseille skipper Dimitri Payet, an injury doubt before the game, lasted just half an hour before hobbling off in tears.
Without their inspirational midfielder, the French side caused Atletico just one major scare as ex-Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou headed against the post.
Atletico have been one of Europe’s most consistent teams in recent seasons, breaking Barcelona and Real Madrid’s stranglehold on La Liga by claiming the title in 2013-14.
Second in the Spanish top flight with one match remaining, they are on course for a top-three finish for the sixth straight season and have appeared in two Champions League finals in that period, losing on both occasions to city rivals Real.
With manager Diego Simeone in the stands – serving a four-game ban for being sent off in the semi-final against Arsenal – Atletico repelled Marseille’s early thrusts and produced a performance which has become a trademark under the Argentine.
Griezmann’s clinical double took his tally for the club this season to 30 before Gabi added the third as the Ligue 1 club tried in vain to breach a backline that has conceded just 33 goals in 58 games all campaign.
Atletico conclude their league season against Eibar on Sunday, and it remains to be seen if that is Griezmann’s last game for the club as he has been heavily linked with Barcelona.
