'Never seen anything like it' - What caused Atletico Madrid anger after early Club World Cup exit?
Updated 24/06/2025 at 13:30 GMT+1
Atletico Madrid winger Giuliano Simeone was left fuming at the officiating after his side were denied two penalties in the first half against Botafogo, which he felt should have been given. Atleti went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to a late Antoine Griezmann goal, but it was not enough and Los Colchoneros exited the competition on goal difference at the expense of their opponents.
'We are out... and nobody cares' - Simeone on Atleti elimination from the Club World Cup
Video credit: SNTV
Atletico Madrid became the first major European casualty of the Club World Cup, despite defeating Botafogo 1-0, and the recriminations began afterwards around two controversial penalty decisions.
Antoine Griezmann’s 87th-minute goal was enough to see Los Colchoneros take the three points on the night, but it was not one for celebration as Atleti finished third and, remarkably, went out on goal difference.
Having lost 4-0 to PSG in their opening game, it always seemed to be an uphill climb to qualify but, heading into this final Group B tie with the reigning champions of Brazil, they knew they needed to win by three goals.
This proved to be too much for Diego Simeone’s side, but his son Giuliano is convinced it could have been an altogether different result had they been awarded two penalties.
First, former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez appeared to be brought down inside the box but referee Cesar Ramos did not agree and waved play on.
He did then reward Alvarez with a spot-kick in first-half stoppage time after he was fouled, but upon a VAR review, the penalty was ruled out as the officials deemed that Alexander Sorloth had impeded the Botafogo defence earlier in the move.
The Atletico winger told DAZN at half-time: "I’ve never seen anything like it, to be honest.
"I think we should have been awarded two penalties. I didn’t see them again, so maybe I’m wrong.
"I would have to see them again. I think the decisions did not favour us at all."
Atletico found themselves in the rare position of winning two group matches and still exiting the tournament, having also defeated Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Matchday 2.
But with Botafogo, who won the Copa Libertadores in 2024 for the first time in their history, defeating PSG, it left the Madrid side needing to defy the odds to qualify.
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Manager Diego Simeone also railed against the officiating, in particular against the UEFA Champions League winners.
Speaking to DAZN, he said: "We are frustrated at not being able to progress. Getting six points was not bad, but we were doomed by the match against PSG, where every decision went against us.
"In today’s match, there were situations to take the lead. Then there was the penalty in which he reviewed a previous foul, so he did not give a penalty that should have been given, it was more of the same.
"We are calm. We are more than clear about what needs to be improved.
"I’m proud of the work that players have done. We gave absolutely everything we have. We won two games out of three and sadly, we are out."
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