Atlético was a gale in Bilbao
Great second half of Atlético de Madrid that gave a lesson in San Mamés. Three goals from Griezmann and one penalty for Raúl García knocked the 'Lions' cold.
ATHLETIC 1 – 4 ATLÉTICO
Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gurpegi, Etxeita, Balenziaga (Ibai Gómez, 79’); San José, Mikel Rico; Susaeta (Aketxe, 83’), Unai López (Guillermo, 69’), Muniain; and Aduriz.
Atlético de Madrid: Moyá; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Siqueira (Lucas, 87’); Tiago; Raúl García, Gabi, Saúl (Cristian Rodríguez, 80’), Arda Turan (Jesús Gámez, 83’); and Griezmann.
Referee: Hernández Hernández (Las Palmas Committee). Booked the locals Aduriz (24’), San José (52’) and Muniain (68’); and the visiting Griezmann (27’), Giménez (74’), Arda Turan (75’) and Gabi (89’).
GOALS:
1-0. 17’. Mikel Rico heads to the net a foul throw-in from the band by Susaeta.
1-1. 46’. Griezmann sends a header to the net after a measured cross from Juanfran.
1-2. 53’. Raúl García tricks Iraizoz in the penalty of San José to Tiago.
1-3. 73’. Griezmann receives a pass from Raúl García, stands in front of Iraizoz and scores with a low shot.
1-4. 81’. Griezmann scores again in an empty goal after a play started by Arda Turan.
Very early, fifteen minutes in, a play to a set ball served Athletic to score the first goal of the match. After the half time, the script was written with another font, the one used by Atlético de Madrid. Brilliant start, a spectacular play with several touches that finally end at Juanfran’s feet and the cross from the winger was sent into the net by Griezmann. Only a minute had passed and the match was equalized. It was time to deliver another lethal blow and Atlético took little time. A breakaway by Tiago in the box ended with the Portuguese on the floor fouled by San José. Raúl García transformed the penalty on 53 minutes. In eight minutes, the game had been turned.
Athletic accused the double hit and was at the mercy of an Atlético that was in its element. A steal from Arda Turan in the midfield with a pass to Raúl García opened the play for the third goal. A by the book play which Griezmann swimmingly settled in front of Iraizoz. Already on the final stretch, once again the Frenchman scored to make his first hat trick with Atlético and with the ball of the game. Arda was masterful once more with the pass to Griezmann and the play ended in goal after Raúl García also participated.