Madrid: Diego Costa added two more goals to his breakout season to help lead Atletico Madrid to a 4-1 victory over AC Milan and into the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday for the first time since 1997.
Diego Costa jumped high to stab home at the far post following a Milan turnover just three minutes into a raucous contest at the capacity Vicente Calderon Stadium. While Kaka gave Milan some hope by canceling out the opener in the 27th, Atletico went into the break in front when Arda Turan's volleyed shot looped over Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbati.
With Milan striker Mario Balotelli ineffective, Atletico slowly began to pull away after the restart as Raul Garcia headed home before Diego Costa completed the 5-1 aggregate win with his 29th goal of the season in the 85th minute. Milan's exit left Europe's top-tier tournament without an Italian team in the last eight, which Atletico reached for the first time in 17 years.
In Germany, Bayern Munich eliminated Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw. Atletico's near 50,000 fans provided the Spanish club with extra pep throughout, but especially at the start when the hosts dominated a Milan team that seemed a step behind.
Michael Essien was particularly exposed by Atletico's speed, and his turnover led Koke to set up Diego Costa for the acrobatic opener. Milan began to dominate possession and bounced back into the contest, but Balotelli failed to get power behind his 24th-minute opportunity from inside the box.
Atletico were dormant and Milan made them pay as Kaka reached Andrea Poli's cross at the far post to head off defender Juanfran Torres and beyond goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Kaka should have made it 2-1 after another defensive lapse by Atletico, but the Brazilian sharply headed over from alone in the box.
That miss proved costly as Turan chested the ball down in the 40th for a quick volley that took a deflection and dipped over Abbiati. Balotelli's frustration got the better of him before halftime as he was booked for protesting, the Italy striker looking sullen and adrift of his teammates for most of the match. All of Atletico's players, meanwhile, seemed to be contributing as the Spanish upstarts also thrived off the boot of Diego Costa.
Atletico started the second half strong as Gabi Fernandez, who stole from Essien to set up the opener, found the post before Courtois pushed out substitute Robinho's shot. But Milan would manage no more as Garcia rose high to nod home in the 70th before Diego Costa capped the rout, with the Spain striker dragging the loose ball between Milan defenders before setting up to cut a low shot beyond Abbiati.
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