Atletico Madrid defeated AC Milan 4-1 in the Champions League quarter-final second leg in Madrid on Tuesday.
Diego Costa opened the scoring for the hosts before Ricardo Kaka equalized in the first half. However strikes from Arda Turan, Raul Garcia and Costa’s second of the night sent the Rossoneri crashing out of Europe 5-1 on aggregate.
Three minutes in and Atletico went up through Diego Costa who tapped the ball past Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal after a fatal mistake by Adil Rami gave the Spanish international time to slot home with a diving effort.
Milan started to ramp up their play shortly after when Mario Balotelli had the chance to equalise for the away side but Diego Godin’s interception prevented the Italian international from taking a shot on goal.
The Rossoneri made it 1-1 soon after when Andrea Poli’s cross reached Ricardo Kaka who sent his header past Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtouis.
Kaka had an opportunity to make it 2-1 soon after but his header from a Adel Taarabt corner went just over the bar.
The mistake would prove costly as Atletico would once again take the lead soon after when Arda Turan shot took a deflection off Rami to beat Abbiati and make it 2-1 for the hosts.
Atletico once again threatened the Rossoneri when Raul Garcia’s overhead kick went just inches wide of the post.
The start of the second half saw Atletico’s Gabi hit the crossbar after a swift counter-attack to keep the score at 2-1.
Los Colchoneros threatened the Rossoneri goal again soon after when Miranda’s header was handled easily by Abbiati.
Robinho could’ve made it 2-2 when he unleashed a left-footed drive but his shot was saved by the outstretched arm of Courtouis.
Los Rojiblancos sealed their win minutes later when Raul Garcia headed home from a Gabi free-kick to give the Spanish side the 3-1 lead on the night.
Milan showed life soon after when Robinho latched onto a Kaka throughball but the Brazilian’s effort stamped off the crossbar to cap a disappointing night for the Italian side.
Diego Costa then added insult to injury when his low angled drive beat Abbiati to give the Madrid side an impressive 4-1 victory on the night.
The win means the Spanish will go through to the quarter final of the competition while the Rossoneri will have to lick their wounds after their second consecutive exit from the round of 16.
