Atlético Madrid Crash Out of Club World Cup in Shocking Group Stage Exit

June 24, 2025 – Atlético Madrid’s campaign in the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup ended abruptly in the group stage following a 1-0 victory over Botafogo that proved insufficient to advance. Despite a late goal from Antoine Griezmann, the Spanish side finished third in Group B, behind Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo, who progressed to the knockout rounds. The elimination marks a rare setback for coach Diego Simeone, whose defensive masterclass has historically propelled the team to La Liga and Europa League titles.

Atlético’s struggles were evident early, with a 4-0 thrashing by PSG in their opener setting a challenging tone. The team managed only four goals across three matches, averaging 1.33 goals per game—well below the tournament’s 2.1 average. Analysts suggest the expanded format, debuting this year, may have strained the squad, with research indicating increased injury risks and performance dips for elite teams (Journal of Sports Sciences, 2023).

The defeat has intensified scrutiny on Simeone’s tactics, particularly his counter-attacking style, which faltered against PSG’s possession dominance (65%). With his contract extending to 2027, the club faces critical decisions as it reassesses its strategy for future competitions.