UEFA Europa League Final – Two goals by former Manchester United player Diago Forlan devastates Fulham after the cottagers concede on the 116th minute of extra time to be denied the UEFA Europa League Cup.
Forlan's second goal which devastates Fulham and earns Atletico Madrid the Europa League Cup
Fulham had been the slightly better side compared to Atletico Madrid with the cottagers taking control of the majority of the second half after failing a goal behind but equalizing just five minutes later.
The first half of the game started with both sides trying to assert their own way of football but both fell short with moderate chances and the majority of the game in the centre half.
The first major breakthrough in the game, came on the 12th minute when an error by Danny Murphy at the midfield area let Atletico Madrid rip through the Fulham defense with Argentinean wonder kid Aguero crossing the ball to Forlan who’s shot skimmed the outside of the post.
The next credible attack was by Fulham on the 18th minute after Simon Davies shot from 25 yards was saved by Atletico Madrid’s 19year-ol goal keeper, David De Gea.
Atletico Madrid’s main threats to Fulham were Jose Reyes, Aguero and Forlan with the trio backing the majority of the teams attacking force. But Fulham to be fair showed that though they did not have individual talent in the world class arena they certainly showed that team football is much more important.
Like a special someone, once said “individual brilliance can win you matches but titles are won by teams,” a very well said phrase.
The game was getting much more controlled by Fulham but the West London side failed to get past the Spanish defense. Aguero showed his talent and the reason behind Diego Maradona choosing the 21-year-old into his preliminary squad for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Argentine waved and skilled past the Fulham defense but never looked to do the actual damage by putting the ball in the back of the net.
However it was Atletico Madrid who scored the first goal on the 32nd minute after a small mix up in the area, a wonky shot on goal that dropped in front of Diago Forlan led to the inevitable goal of the Spanish side.
Considering the distance that Fulham has gone from two years ago when they were about to be relegated if it were not for a last game heroics against Portsmouth, Atletico Madrid are no different then Fulham.
Quique Sánchez Flores, the Atletico manager took charge of the Spanish team last year when they were struggling at the bottom edge of the La LIga.
One year later the Spanish team are not only in the UEFA Europa Leage Final but will also face Barcelona in the Spanish Cup Final.
However the fairytale for Atletico finished just five minutes later when Bobby Zamora burst into the area, and passed the ball, which was left in front of Gera who crossed it to Davies who volleyed it into the back the net.
Forlan celebrates after scoring - Image by : Getty Images
The game was mainly in Fulham’s control to the end of the first half but and for the majority of the second half but it is fair to say Atletico Madrid did have a few chances.
The 60th minute saw a beautiful save by Atletico’s young goalkeeper when Davies shot from just outside the area was left in the hands of the 19-year-old.
The game then went to extra time where Fulham looked absolutely knackered, and so they should be with the side giving their all to this match and rightly so as this was the biggest stage that most of the Cottagers players had ever reached.
Atletico however struck on 116 minutes, with just four minutes to go, through Diego Forlan, to make it 2-1. A cross by the Aguero who took total advantage of the Fulham teams exhausting defense and managed a cross which skimmed the outside of Forlan’s boot.
The ball then took a small deflection from Hangeland and bounced to the bottom right corner of the goal.
With the final whistle gone Atletico Madrid went wild but the Fulham players were devastated along with Roy Hudgson.
But regardless of the result, this game though required a winner was in the middle but, those individual player of Atletico made all the difference on the night.
