Atlético Madrid Advances To UEFA Champions League Final With Victory Over Chelsea To Set Up All Spain Championship

With a berth in the championship match at stake, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid traveled to Stamford Bridge for a semifinal showdown against Chelsea in the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League. Los Rojiblancos and the Blues played to a scoreless draw in last week's opening leg and with a match-up against Real Madrid awaiting the victor in the final, both teams came ready to play. The Blues put forth a strong effort throughout but their initial push against a talented Atletico club that currently leads the Spanish Primera Division was nothing short of impressive.

Though tremendous back and forth action occurred throughout the opening half, neither team had a score on the board to show for it, until Fernando Torres broke free in the 36^th minute. Sending a right footed boot off an assist from César Azpilicueta past Madrid keeper Thibaut Coutois, the Chelsea forward gave his team a spark they hadn't experienced during the first leg-plus of the semifinal. While the first half goal sent the Stamford Bridge faithful into a frenzy, the positive momentum was short-lived thanks to the effort of Atletico's Adrián.

The 26-year-old answered the goal by Torres just eight minutes later to even the match and put Atletico up via away goals. Added support came in the second half when star Diego Costa registered his eighth goal in as many games to put Atletico up 2-1 in the second leg and overall in the series. Costa drew a penalty in the box at the 60-minute mark and after struggling to place the ball down in a comfortable manner on the turf – an act that led to his receiving a yellow card - the international star popped one into the back of the net to give the La Liga leaders a bit of breathing room.

Arda Turan's goal in the 72^nd minute from in front of the goal was all Los Rojiblancos needed to seal their trip to the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League final against La Liga rival Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo and Los Blancos dominated Bayern Munich in the first UCL semifinal to advance to Portugal and now that Atletico has completed their half of the job, an All-Spain final will certainly capture the attention of the soccer world.

The UEFA Champions League Final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will be played at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Saturday, May 24.