Atleti complete memorable comeback to qualify for Super Cup final
Our team beat Barcelona 3-2 on Thursday in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals. Koke, Morata and Correa scored the goals in an epic match in Jeddah.
Atleti earned a sensational 3-2 win over Barcelona on Thursday to qualify for the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals in Jeddah. Koke, Morata and Correa provided the goals.
There were several interruptions in the opening minutes of the game. Correa and Oblak had to be treated by doctors on the pitch following clashes with Neto and Suárez. Luckily, both were able to continue. Our goalkeeper proved he was fully recovered halfway through the first half, when he denied in style a Messi strike in what was the biggest chance of the game up until that point.
Our team answered with a couple of chances of our own, mainly on the break and through set pieces. But Barcelona were menacing going forward, and Oblak was forced to make another sensational save some 40 minutes in, this time to stop Griezmann when the Frenchman was through on goal.
Simeone made his first substitution at half-time, bringing Koke on for Herrera. And the it paid off, as our captain put us in the lead after just seconds on the pitch. It was preceded by a fantastic team play. Unfortunately, the joy didn’t last long, because Messi struck from the edge of the box to make things 1-1 shortly thereafter. A few minutes later, Barcelona scored again to turn things around. Griezmann headed the ball following another great save from Oblak.
The goals gave Valverde’s men a confidence boost and our team struggled as a consequence. Simeone decided to move things around with two changes around the 70th minute. Vitolo and Llorente came on for Lodi and Koke, who picked up an injury. These changes meant that Saúl switched to left-back, and our team began to put pressure on Barcelona’s defence. In one of our attacks, Vitolo was sent through on goal and he was brought down by Neto inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, Morata converted. Atleti had managed to even the score, and we had another penalty claim as Piqué hit the ball with his hand inside the box. The referee checked VAR, but decided against it. It was a tough blow, but our team never gives up. And in the 86th minute, Correa scored to complete a memorable comeback and make things 3-2.
Atleti are through to the Spanish Super Cup final!
