Atlético advance but FCK must wait

Club Atlético de Madrid strode into the UEFA Cup Round of 32 with an efficient win away to FC København.

FCK must wait
Atlético already held four points from their first two Group B games and goals from Simão and Agüero ensured their place in the next stage. Should they beat visitors Panathinaikos FC on 20 December, Atlético will win the group; København must avoid defeat at Aberdeen FC to hold on to third place.

Opening goal
Both sides came close early on, with home midfielder Atiba Hutchinson and Atlético's Thiago Motta each testing their opposing goalkeepers. Luis García also tired his luck for Atlético before Simão gave them a 21st-minute lead as he picked the ball up 25 metres out, and rather than shooting immediately played a neat one-two with Agüero before beating Jesper Christiansen with a neat finish.

Lead doubled
Chances were fairly at a premium until just past the hour mark. In-form striker Agüero produced a strong effort which Christiansen did well to tip over, but soon after Motta threated a fine pass into space. Agüero, having delayed his run past the halfway line to avoid offside, skipped on to the ball and ran into the box before rounding Christiansen and sliding his shot into an empty net.

Aberdeen trip
William Kvist tried to spark a late FCK revival with a swerving long-range effort but Atlético goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was equal to the task, diving to his left. However, ahead of their trip to Scotland, København have the consolation of knowing that after a home defeat by Panathinaikos in their opener they recovered to gain an away win at FC Lokomotiv Moskva.