VALLADOLID: Atletico Madrid outclassed Real Valladolid 5-2 in an away game on Sunday to close the gap on their city rivals Real Madrid in LaLiga.
Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez and Alvaro Morata scored goals for Atletico in the first half before Valladolid had a hit back to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
However, an own goal from Joaquin and a late strike from Memphis Depay wrapped up the game for the visitors, who have now won eight of their last nine league games with only a narrow loss at Barcelona.
With six games left in the season, third-placed Atletico jumped to 66 points, two behind second-placed Real, who thrashed lowly Almeria 4-2 on Saturday.
Leaders Barcelona maintain a healthy lead at the top with 79 points, moving a step closer to their 27th LaLiga title with a convincing 4-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday.
Diego Simeone’s side opened the scoring in the 20th minute through defender Molina’s close-range strike on a counter-attack. Gimenez added another four minutes later with a towering header from Antoine Griezmann’s free kick.
Morata tapped the third one in the 38th for Atletico with Griezmann in the assist role again, but Valladolid were quick to rebound as Cyle Larin scored their first before the break on a penalty kick after Mario Hermoso fouled Gonzalo Plata inside the box.
Sergio Escudero struck the second for the home side in the 74th minute with a header from a corner, but Atletico kept their calm and regained the two-goal cushion 12 minutes later, with Joaquin guiding the ball in his own nets while trying to clear a cross from Angel Correa.
Depay extended Atletico’s lead in the added time with a spectacular finish after dribbling three defenders.
Valencia are now only two points and one place above the relegation zone, although Espanyol’s 1-0 win over Getafe rescued them from falling into the bottom three.
READ: Selby hits first 147 in a world snooker final as he closes on Brecel
The post Atletico cruise past Valladolid 5-2 to close on Real Madrid in LaLiga appeared first on ASports.tv.
from ASports.tv https://ift.tt/KWDdNai
0 Comments