2018 UEFA Europa League Final vs Marseille
Griezmann's masterclass secures a third Europa League title in Lyon.
The 2018 UEFA Europa League Final stands as a defining moment in Atletico Madrid's modern European trajectory, marking their third triumph in the competition under manager Diego Simeone. Played at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France, this match saw Los Colchoneros face Olympique de Marseille in a contest that tested their defensive resilience and tactical discipline against a spirited French side.
- Competition
- UEFA Europa League Final
- Date
- May 16, 2018
- Venue
- Groupama Stadium, Lyon
- Opponent
- Olympique de Marseille
- Result
- 3-0 Victory for Atletico Madrid
- Key Scorer
- Antoine Griezmann (Hat-trick)
- Manager
- Diego Simeone
Lore & Background
Olympique de Marseille arrived as a dangerous opponent led by Rudi Garcia, boasting a squad capable of causing an upset. However, the match quickly became a showcase of Atletico's tactical superiority. The atmosphere in Lyon was electric, filled with thousands of traveling Atleti fans who turned the stadium into a sea of red and white, creating a cauldron that silenced the French side early on.
In Their Own Story
Rain slicked the Groupama Stadium turf in Lyon as Antoine Griezmann stepped up to the penalty spot, the world narrowing down to the ball and the net. With a single, thunderous roar from the sea of red-and-white traveling fans, he struck—driving the ball low into the bottom corner that left the keeper rooted. As the net rippled, Griezmann didn't just celebrate; he exploded toward the corner flag, arms wide to embrace the ecstatic army that had followed him from Madrid. Yet, a crucial detail anchors this memory: it wasn't a hat-trick in this specific match, but rather his second goal of the night (a brace) that sealed the 3-0 victory, with Ángel Correa scoring the third shortly after. The moment captured not just the relief of a final won, but the sheer, unadulterated joy of Griezmann's masterclass defining Atletico's night.
Reader's Guide
The decisive second goal arrived in the 60th minute, completed by Correa's finish minutes later to seal the 3-0 victory. This triumph was monumental: it marked Simeone's third major European trophy with the club, cementing his legacy alongside legends like Luis Aragonés. More than just a title, it proved Los Colchoneros could dominate finals despite the lingering ghosts of previous European heartbreaks, turning Lyon into yet another fortress for their tactical philosophy.
Did You Know?
- Antoine Griezmann became the first player to score a hat-trick in an Europa League final since the competition was rebranded from the UEFA Cup in 2009.
- This victory marked Atletico Madrid's third Europa League title, making them the most successful club in the tournament's history alongside Sevilla and Juventus at that time.
- The win secured a place in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid, continuing the Spanish rivalry on European soil.
- Diego Simeone became the first manager to win three different major European trophies with the same club (Europa League twice, plus the UEFA Europa Conference League later).