PASADENA, Calif. — Atlético Madrid was eliminated from the Club World Cup on goal differential Monday despite beating Botafogo 1-0 on Antoine Griezmann's dramatic late goal.
Botafogo advanced from Group B along with Paris Saint-Germain. All three clubs finished group play with two wins and a loss, but Atlético's 4-0 thrashing from PSG in its tournament opener eight days ago came back to haunt the Spanish giants.
Atlético kept steady pressure in the second half, and Julián Alvarez finally spun away from two tackle attempts and fired a long pass across the penalty area to halftime substitute Griezmann, who banged it home for his first goal of the tournament in the 87th minute.
Atlético knew that goal wasn't enough to advance. Coach Diego Simeone's group kept up the pressure, but couldn't break through again.
Botafogo, the current champions of South America, did what was necessary to advance, limiting Atlético to one late goal despite a 23-7 disadvantage in shot attempts. Goalkeeper John made four saves.
PSG beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 to win the group on goal differential, even though Botafogo stunned Champions League winners PSG 1-0 at the Rose Bowl four days earlier.
Botafogo had a strong counterattack all afternoon and nearly stole an early lead, but Jan Oblak stopped Jefferson Savarino's breakaway in the 10th minute. Oblak also made a fingertip save on Igor Jesus' exceptional deflection on net in the 67th minute.
Key moment