Leicester's energy and passion was unstinting, but the quality of Atletico Madrid finally quashed their UEFA Cup challenge at Filbert Street last night. From the moment Juninho put the Spanish side ahead with 19 minutes remaining, Leicester were bound for disappointment. Kiko added a second goal three minutes from time as Leicester desperately chased the game. If Leicester required any indication of the size of their task Atletico supplied it within the first five minutes. When Kiko's turn and lob came back off the bar the left-back Delfin Geli had his header blocked by Matt Elliott. Christian Vieri then found himself unmarked eight yards from goal, only for Kasey Keller to block his shot.

With Steve Walsh injured, and Ian Marshall required up front, Julian Watts returned from a month's loan at Crewe for Leicester's first European night for 26 years when ironically Atletico's 11 draw at Filbert Street knocked them out of the Cup Winners' Cup.

Muzzy Izzet was a potent threat for Leicester and had legitimate claims for a penalty when he was tripped by Geli and, if the referee was unconvinced, perhaps Izzet had played a part; his flagrant dive over Andrei Frascarelli's challenge earlier did not suggest he was a reliable witness.

Neither was Juan Lopez, booked for play-acting when play was 60 yards away in Leicester's penalty area. The extent of Lopez's folly became evident as a reckless challenge on Marshall caused him to be dismissed for a second bookable offence after 50 minutes.

The tie looked in Leicester's grasp until 18 minutes into the second half. Garry Parker's first-half booking had arisen from a trivial disagreement and had certainly been forgotten by the referee who brandished a yellow card when he took a free-kick before the whistle, then had to change it to red.

With Leicester increasingly short-staffed at the back, Atletico scored 19 minutes from time. Juninho's crisp left-foot volley at the far post, from Jose Mari's cross, racing past Keller.