Report: Batshuayi breaks Atlético’s hearts at the death

A late Chelsea goal ruined Atlético Madrid’s winning streak in the Wanda Metropolitano as Chelsea came to town and beat Diego Simeone’s side 2-1 in a second half comeback win.

Atlético took the lead in the first half after a David Luiz foul on Lucas Hernández in the penalty area led to an Antoine Griezmann penalty, which he drove home past Thibaut Courtois.

Eden Hazard, back from a broken ankle and looking like he hadn’t missed a second of action, torr strips out of Atlético for most of the first half. So frequent were Hazard’s forays into the box at blistering pace that it seemed only a matter of time before either he or his teammate Álvaro Morata would take the lead.

Morata, whistled for most of the evening for his donning of the Real Madrid jersey in a past life, had a header tipped over by Jan Oblak at close range. Hazard struck the upright and caused all sorts of problems for Diego Simeone’s back-line.

The goal, however, that came totally against the run of play from Griezmann’s left foot jolted Atlético and indeed the Wanda Metropolitano faithful into life.

The second half started the same way the first half had played out with Chelsea in the driving seat and Atlético feeding off scraps. There was one minor alteration though as Chelsea looked less threatening and Atleti far more dangerous on the break. The goal had hurt the Blues’ willingness to push forward and it had emboldened los rojiblancos.

That changed, however, on the hour mark when Morata headed home a lovely Hazard cross as the two Chelsea protagonists finally manufactured a goal that was coming since kick-off.

It looked as though the English champions would go and grab all three points when Cesc Fábregas missed from point blank range with his left foot, but Atlético soon came back into the game for a spell. Substitute Fernando Torres had a strike that was never beating Courtois and Griezmann spun and shot without troubling the goalkeeper.

The ref was looking at his watch when Luiz was fouled by Koke and Chelsea took a quick free. It went from N’Golo Kante, to Victor Moses and further out on the right to Marcos Alonso, who crossed for Michy Batshuayi. He slotted home from close range and left Atlético without a win in two Champions League games.

It is Atlético’s first loss in their new stadium, and after a display like this, they may have to hope and pray that they can keep their heads above water until reinforcements arrive in January.