Atlético Madrid Defeats Athletic Bilbao 3-1 In Vicente Calderón Finale

There was "much melancholy" as Atlético Madrid fans "said goodbye" to the Vicente Calderón, according to Ben Hayward of GOAL. Before the team's final match at the Calderón, a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, Atlético fans raised a banner which read, "Paseo de los Melacolicos, Manzanares (the river right behind the stadium), how we love you." These fans "never wanted to move." This stadium and this neighborhood "are part of their identity." The Wanda Metropolitano "will be bigger and more modern, but not really in keeping with the working-class traditions of this club." It was "perhaps fitting that the club's biggest modern-day idol," Fernando Torres, "should score twice" in Atlético's final victory at the stadium. Torres' two goals "brought the house down in a party atmosphere." Current and former players "were also introduced to huge cheers as the team's trophies were laid out on the pitch amid applause and plenty of emotion in the stands" as everyone stayed for an hour after the end (GOAL, 5/21).

Fernando Torres off to standing ovation and many Atleti fans in tears. That's the last time they will see El Niño play here. End of an era. pic.twitter.com/yZOD1sbptO

— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) May 21, 2017

Siempre estarás en nuestra historia pic.twitter.com/oqpduBZE6X

— Diego Pablo Simeone (@Simeone) May 21, 2017

20' | 2-0 | 🙌 Incredible atmosphere at the Calderón! 🏟
Thanks, fans! 🏧 👏👏👏 #AtletiAthletic #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/0kCMHlMUx1

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 21, 2017