Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann said his team had achieved their objective of winning Champions League Group D after he scored one goal and set up the other in Wednesday's 2-0 win at home to PSV Eindhoven.
After a goalless first half in which Atletico striker Kevin Gameiro missed the clearest chance, the former Sevilla man opened the scoring soon after the break with a sweet low cross-shot from a Griezmann assist.
The Colchoneros No. 7 then made it 2-0 by steering in a near post shot after good work from the recalled Tiago Mendes, as Atletico maintained their 100 percent record in the competition and ensured the top spot in the group, following Bayern Munich's surprise 3-2 defeat at Rostov earlier in the day.
Speaking on BeIn Sports after the game, Griezmann said that he and his team had put in a big effort against the Eredivisie champions to ensure that they will be seeded for the last 16 no matter what happens in their final group game at second-placed Bayern on Dec. 6.
"We wanted to give another image, and to win the game to finish first," Griezmann said. "We are happy. We played a good game, they are a tough team for us to play against, but we got the three points. We had to win, that was the objective tonight, to finish first. We made a big effort and want to continue like this."
The victory also helped lift the mood at the Estadio Vicente Calderon after the weekend's painful 3-0 La Liga defeat at home to neighbours Real Madrid.
"We must keep working hard in every game, every day, giving everything," Griezmann said. "The fans were [a] 10 tonight, we wanted to thank them on the pitch."
Atletico's €30-million summer signing Gameiro now has his first Champions League goal for his new club, and Griezmann said he was delighted for his fellow France international.
"I'm very happy for Gameiro and hope he can score many more," he said.