Atletico Madrid have comfortably secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a 4-1 victory over AC Milan this evening.
The hosts began the match in style by taking the lead after just three minutes when Diego Costa produced a fine finish to steer Koke's cross past Christian Abbiati.
The visitors had a brief sight of goal in the 26th minute when Mario Balotelli was denied a shooting opportunity by Miranda, but they levelled the scores just a minute later anyway as Kaka rose highest inside the box to nod Andrea Poli's cross home.
The Brazilian midfielder should have had another 10 minutes later when he once again got his head onto the end of a cross, but this time he couldn't keep his effort down.
He was made to rue that missed opportunity before the break as Atletico regained the lead with just five minutes of the first half remaining, Arda Turan's shot deflecting off Adil Rami and into the top corner.
The hosts almost added another before the interval when Raul Garcia found himself within shooting range, but his effort went narrowly wide.
The Spanish side could have all but secured their place in the last eight just six minutes after the restart when Costa slipped the ball through to Gabi, only for the Spaniard to crash his effort against the top of the crossbar.
Atletico had another chance to get a third on the night when Juanfran's cross found Miranda, but the Brazilian defender steered his header straight into the arms of Abbiati.
They did finally extend their lead with 20 minutes of the match remaining as Garcia rose highest inside the box to plant a fine header into the back of the net.
Milan refused to give up, however, and they almost came up with an immediate response when Robinho found space inside the box, but his subsequent effort slammed against the bar.
The result was well and truly put beyond doubt with five minutes of the match remaining as Costa grabbed his second of the game having been slipped through by Jose Sosa to make it 5-1 on aggregate.
Barney Corkhill
