Atletico Madrid knock out Bayern Munich to make Champions League final

An away goal from Antoine Griezmann was enough to put Atletico Madrid through to the Champions League final, with a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena seeing the Spaniards progress.

Diego Simeone’s men held a 1-0 lead from the first leg, with an emotionally charged Bavarian crowd waiting for them in Germany.

95' | 2-1 | FINAL WHISTLE!!! WE'RE IN MILÁN!!!! This team is the greatest!! COME ON! #FCBAtleti #UCL #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/RUDOdl6hL4

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) May 3, 2016

Xabi Alonso’s deflected free-kick in the 31st minute brought the Bundesliga giants level, before visiting goalkeeper Jan Oblak kept the La Liga outfit’s dreams alive by saving a Thomas Muller penalty.

The decisive moment came in the 54th minute when Griezmann sprung the Bayern offside trap to fire home and give Simeone’s charges an invaluable away goal.

The La Liga/ Champions League double is still on for Atletico.

They are into the final.https://t.co/Fnc2mKbkvu pic.twitter.com/xk98h7o35T

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 3, 2016

Robert Lewandowski ensured a tense finish by putting the Germans back into the lead on 74 minutes, while Fernando Torres saw his penalty saved by Manuel Neuer soon after.

Atletico and their dogged defence held on to progress, with the visitors elated at the final whistle.

The result is a massive disappointment for Bayern, with manager Pep Guardiola to leave the club this summer and failing to deliver Europe’s biggest prize after three years in Bavaria, despite making the Champions League semifinals in each of his three seasons at the club.

We'll lick our wounds and come back stronger! #MiaSanMia #UCL #FCBAtleti pic.twitter.com/C6NSUkPMmd

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 3, 2016

The Vicente Calderon outfit have never been European champions, losing in the final in 1974 to Bayern and two years ago to fierce cross-city rivals Real Madrid.

There is every chance they could face their Spanish foes again in the final in Milan later this month, with Zinedine Zidane’s side and Manchester City tussling in the second semi-final.

Atletico were within seconds of beating Madrid in the 2013-14 final in Lisbon, but an injury time Sergio Ramos goal sent the game to extra time, where Los Blancos prevailed 4-1.

Simeone’s men will be desperate to make amends this time round, whether it is Madrid or City they face, with the Spaniards proving themselves as one of Europe’s most difficult opponents.