MADRID (AFP) - Alvaro Morata's first-half double fired 10-man Atletico Madrid to a 2-0 victory at Real Sociedad on Sunday (March 3) as Diego Simeone's men kept their slim La Liga title hopes alive.
The Spain international striker scored twice in three first-half minutes as Atletico cut the gap to leaders Barcelona back to seven points after the reigning champions' 1-0 Clasico win over third-placed Real Madrid on Saturday.
Midfielder Koke was dismissed just after the hour mark, but Atletico have now won three straight league games after back-to-back defeats by Real Betis and Real Madrid last month had ended an 18-match unbeaten run.
After a slow start to the contest, Morata gave Atletico the lead on the half-hour mark by nodding home after Thomas Lemar's corner was flicked on by Diego Godin.
The 26-year-old, who went four games without a goal after joining on loan from Chelsea in January, made it three in two matches shortly afterwards, having opened his Atletico account last weekend against Villarreal.
Once again it was a set-piece that did the damage, as Morata climbed highest to meet Koke's right-wing free-kick with a downward header into the bottom corner.
Sandro Ramirez nodded over as Sociedad started the second half strongly, and the hosts were given renewed hope when Koke was sent off for a second yellow card in the 62nd minute.
Mikel Merino came close to halving the deficit with 14 minutes remaining as away goalkeeper Jan Oblak had to produce a fine save to prevent his header from finding the top corner.
But Atletico closed out the win to move five points clear of city rivals Real, and more importantly, remain in with a chance of lifting a first major trophy since winning the league title in 2014.
Getafe boost Champions League bidÂ
Earlier on Sunday, little Getafe gave their hopes of qualifying for a maiden Champions League campaign a massive boost with a 2-1 victory at fellow European hopefuls Real Betis.
Pepe Bordalas' side, who have twice played in the Europa League before, now sit two points clear of Alaves in fourth place in La Liga, with another seven sides within nine points of the last Champions League spot.
Real Betis remain seventh, but six points adrift of Getafe.
Uruguayan defender Leandro Cabrera gave Getafe a 20th-minute lead by nodding in Francisco Portillo's corner, before Jaime Mata slotted in a second on the stroke of half-time.
Former Spain winger Joaquin, 37, gave Betis hope with a powerful drive 15 minutes from time, but the home side slipped to a second damaging defeat in three days after their Copa del Rey semi-final loss to Valencia.
Iker Casillas 'cannot play football again' after heart attack in training "He's well, calm, following the medical protocols that have been set" Sara Carbonero. His wife, journalist Sara Carbonero, issued an update on Casillas' condition from hospital. She said: "He's well, calm, following the medical protocols that have been set.
Iker Casillas says he is improving, his heart is 'content
Sanchez haunts Arsenal as Man Utd maintain perfect record under Solskjaer as Man Utd maintain perfect record under Solskjaer PTI turn around of Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Football: Sanchez haunts Arsenal as Man United maintain
What Luis Suarez said about Liverpool's incredible win over Barcelona in Champions League. It was a night to forget for the former Reds forward as he returned to Anfield
5 Things Liverpool Needs To Beat Barcelona In The Champions
Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Huddersfield Town on Saturday, but remain the only side without an away clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
Iwobi, Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at Huddersfield
Kevin-Prince Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - Reports Catalan daily Sport reported that the leaders of La Liga had agreed a deal to take Boateng on loan until the end of the season with an
Football: Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports
The latest foot injury suffered by Neymar was much harder for the player to come to terms with than the one the Brazilian suffered in 2018. He has revealed that he stayed at home in tears after
PSG star Neymar cried for two days after foot injury | FOX
Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should drop error-prone goalkeeper David de Gea for the remaining two Premier League games. The Spaniard has made several costly errors in recent matches including Sunday's game which saw Chelsea claim a point at Old Trafford.
Paul Parker backs Solskjaer to be next long - talksport.com
Football: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives stars 'licence to
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct following his sending-off against Burnley, the Football Association has announced on its official website. The Italian was sent off
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league loss, benched Bale may have played last game. while they lost 12 league games for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign.
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-real-madrid-end-awful-campaign-with-12th-league-loss-benched-bale-may-have-played-last-game/
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league loss, benched Bale may have played last game Posted on 05/19/2019 MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's harrowing season came to a fittingly miserable end on Sunday (May 19) as they slumped to a staggering 12th La Liga defeat, losing 2-0 at home to Real Betis as many fans left the stadium
Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat - msn.com
Malaysia 0-1 Singapore: Faris' late goal settles derby in
Barcelona's defence were completely caught out by Divock Origi's winner as Liverpool went through 4-3 on aggregate Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said his side "looked like schoolboys" for
Luis Suarez says Barcelona 'looked like schoolboys' defending
0 comments:
Post a Comment