Diego Forlan was again the star of the Atletico Madrid show as he hit a double to end Fulham’s European adventure.
There were signs of nerves from Fulham during the first half and Atletico dominated in the early stages.
The first goal came on 32 minutes when Murphy’s poor pass played in Aguero. The Argentine live-wire mis-queued but it fell to former Manchester United striker Forlan who poked it home into the bottom corner.
The mistake sparked Fulham into the game and they began to string some decent movements together.
The leveler came just five minutes later when Murphy found Konchesky on the wing. He passed inside to Zamora on the edge of the box who turned two defenders before being crowded out. However, the ball found its way to Gera on the right who crossed to Davies and the Welsh international caught it on the volley to put Fulham level.
Atletico piled on the pressure toward the end of the first half and were very much the better side going in at the break.
Fulham were much improved in the second half although were tormented on the break by the mercurial Aguero.
Neither side could break the deadlock and the game was sent into extra time. It was deep inside the second period when the crucial goal finally came.
Aguero held off his defender long enough for Forlan to arrive into the box and the former Manchester United man flicked it past Schwartzer. Final score, 2-1 to Atletico.
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