European Champions League

Atlético Madrid 2 - Chelsea 2

Atlético: Asenjo; Perea, Pablo, Juanito, Antonio López; Reyes (Maxi 71'), Cléber Santana, Paulo Assuncao, Simao (Jurado 83'); Sinama-Pongolle (Agüero 53'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2.
Chelsea: Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole; Malouda, Essien (Ballack 58'), Lampard, Joe Cole (Deco 69'); Kalou (Anelka 69'), Drogba. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 66. Agüero. Drove fierce volley back in to net after Terry headed out cross.
1-1. 82. Drogba. Guided header down past Asenjo from Malouda's cross.
1-2. 88. Drogba. Ran on to Ashley Cole pass and beat keeper at second try.
2-2. 91. Agüero. Curled free kick round wall and in to top corner of net.

It was last chance saloon for Atlético Madrid against Chelsea after the Spanish side had only picked up one point from their previous three games, but although the 2-2 draw was a marked improvement, it was too little to keep them in the running for a place in the next round.

With one eye on the weekend derby against Real, new coach Quique Sánchez Flores made several changes to his line up. Reyes was given a start in the side, and he almost beat Cech midway through the first half. However Lampard fired a shot just wide a few minutes later, and soon after the restart Asenjo had to be on his toes to turn a Drogba free kick on to the post.

Flores eventually turned to Agüero, who had been carrying a knock, and the Argentinian striker broke the ice with a spectacular first time volley after Terry could only head out Antonio López's cross. With Porto only drawing in Cyprus at the time, that meant that fate was in their own hands. But Drogba changed all that with two goals in the last ten minutes, the first a header from Malouda's cross, and the second a powerful run to leave three defenders trailing before beating Asenjo at the second attempt.

Agüero equalised in injury time with a well-struck free kick, but with Porto now winning they still needed one more to stay in it. That didn't come, but they can still qualify for the Europa League if they can keep ahead of Apoel. Not really what they wanted, but at least an improvement over their season to date.