Europa League: Diego Costa’s strike dumps Arsenal out, Marseille qualify for final

Atletico Madrid have qualified for this year’s Europa League final after beating Arsenal 1-0 on Thursday night.

The Los Rojiblancos drew 1-1 last week in England and were favourites going into the leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Diego Costa’s 53rd minute strike where he held off the challenge of Hector Bellerin to coolly slot past goalkeeper David Ospina was the only goal of the night in the Spanish capital as Diego Simeone’s men qualified for the final with a 2-1 aggregate.

Meanwhile, in the other semi-finals match, Marseille knocked out Salzburg to qualify for the final slated for May 16 in France.

The French club headed into the match with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg encounter played last week.

Rudi García’s men were beaten 2-1 in Thursday’s second leg semi-final clash, but qualified for the final of the competition with a 3-2 aggregate.

Amadou and Bouna scored the two goals for Salzburg that forced the game into extra time.

However, Rolando scored a late second half extra time score to send García’s men to the final.

Atletico Madrid will now battle Marseille in the Europa League final scheduled for May 16 in France.

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