Come back and co-leadership
Laporte put Athletic ahead but just before half-time, Saúl levelled the battle. Griezmann, with a great goal, decided the match.
ATLÉTICO 2 – 1 ATHLETIC
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saúl; Carrasco (Correa, 58’), Vietto (Fernando Torres, 61’) and Griezmann (Savic, 88’).
Athletic: Iraizoz; Bóveda (Susaeta, 70’), Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga; Beñat, Iturraspe (Mikel Rico, 59’), Raúl García, De Marcos; Williams (Kike Sola, 86’) and Aduriz.
Referee: Martínez Munuera (Committee of Valencia). Booked the home player Gabi (84’); and the visiting Aduriz (74’).
GOALS:
0-1. 26’. Laporte scores with an effort to the far post after a corner kick.
1-1. 45’. Saúl heads to the net of the first post a corner kick thrown by Koke.
2-1. 67’. Griezmann picks up a ball at the top and makes a spectacular left foot drive that goes in close to Iraizoz’s left post.
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saúl; Carrasco (Correa, 58’), Vietto (Fernando Torres, 61’) and Griezmann (Savic, 88’).
Athletic: Iraizoz; Bóveda (Susaeta, 70’), Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga; Beñat, Iturraspe (Mikel Rico, 59’), Raúl García, De Marcos; Williams (Kike Sola, 86’) and Aduriz.
Referee: Martínez Munuera (Committee of Valencia). Booked the home player Gabi (84’); and the visiting Aduriz (74’).
GOALS:
0-1. 26’. Laporte scores with an effort to the far post after a corner kick.
1-1. 45’. Saúl heads to the net of the first post a corner kick thrown by Koke.
2-1. 67’. Griezmann picks up a ball at the top and makes a spectacular left foot drive that goes in close to Iraizoz’s left post.
Raúl García was returning home and received the recognition of who were his fans for many seasons. In the first half there was no danger in either boxes until Laporte scored in the far post from a corner kick. Atlético had a hard time making intents but had made a warning shortly before that 0-1 with a disallowed goal from Vietto. It did go up on the scoreboard in the stoppage time of the first half. Carrasco tried to score from the edge of the box and Iraizoz responded by saving his team from the tie. And that corner kick led to the 1-1 with which the match went to half-time. Saúl headed to the net a corner kick thrown by Koke.
The goal at the end of the first half gave Atlético wings, which soon made two changes, before the quarter of an hour. Correa first and Torres afterwards. The Argentinian fought at the top for a ball that reached Griezmann and the French scored with a masterful left foot drive that went into the net close to the right post of Iraizoz. A goal that served to achieve the eighth consecutive win in a very difficult match against a complicated rival. The team continues growing and has equalled Barcelona in points at the top of the table.