There was to be no fairy tale ending for Fulham's epic Europa League excursion as they went down 2-1 after extra time to Atletico Madrid in Hamburg. As the game stood at 1-1 with just three minutes of extra time remaining it seemed as if penalties were looming until Diego Forlan with his second goal of the game showed that quality up front which battling Fulham had lacked to win the Europa League final for Madrid.

Fulham had their moments but they tended to be half chances although for large portions of the game they kept Madrid quiet but lacked that killer finish.

The Spanish outfit began the stronger and deservedly took the lead just after the half-hour when Forlan deflected home Sergio Aguero's mis-hit shot.

But instead of pressing home their advantage it was Fulham who came back the stronger and stunned their opponents with a leveller seven minutes from the break, Simon Davies volleying home at the far post.

Fulham continued their dominance after the break as Madrid looked subdued and rarely threatened.

Chances for either side were at a premium in this second 45 minutes and that scenario continued into extra time until Sergio Aguero crossed for poacher Forlan to flick the ball home via a deflection off Brede Hangeland.