Atletico drops into Europa League after meek group-stage exit

Unable to overcome a disappointing start to its Champions League campaign, Atletico Madrid tumbled into the Europa League as the third-place finisher in Group C.

Diego Simeone's team needed a win over Chelsea and for Roma to drop points versus Qarabag to progress, but only managed a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Atletico will now enter the Europa League at the Round of 32 stage.

Saul's header after 56 minutes offered Atletico a route back into the Champions League, but a Stefan Savic own goal later in the second half crushed the Spanish side's last hopes.

Considered one of the favourites to advance from Group C, Atletico instead dropped points in each of its first four matches.

Draws with Qarabag proved to be the most costly. In its second encounter with the Azerbaijani side, Atletico was held to a 1-1 stalemate despite firing 34 shots at home.

Atletico will now head to the Europa League, a competition it won in 2010 and 2012.