Sports Desk, Apr 2 (EFE). – Saul Niguez scored six minutes from time as Atletico Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 in La Liga on Monday and return to the Champions League qualification zone.
Defeated in their last two games, Atletico still had no chance of winning to continue competing in the race for the European place and took the game from the start thanks to a goal from Axel Witsel.
But Alexander Sorloth recovered the game point early in the second half to leave Atletico with a task at hand.
When the game seemed open, Saúl, who had only been on the pitch for a few seconds, sank Villarreal to end their nine-game unbeaten run.
Desperate to win, Atletico reshuffled their midfield and took good luck for granted, prompting the club to play an attacking game.
Antoine Griezmann started the first major attack, providing a better ball to Samuel Lino, whose shot went over Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Belgium’s Witsel took advantage of Villarreal’s poor marking to head a corner against the post to give Atletico the lead in just nine minutes.
Atletico had to double their lead moments later, after a mix between Lino and Memphis Depay, but the Dutchman’s weak shot went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Villarreal equalized four minutes into the second half after Atletico lost the ball in the danger area, allowing Sorloth to shoot out of the reach of goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Villarreal fully took possession of the ball after the goal, forcing Atletico to make a series of adjustments that ultimately paid off, with Saul scoring in a scrum in the mouth of the goal.
Atletico climbed to fourth place with a win that took their tally to 58 points, two points ahead of nearest rivals Athletic Club. Villarreal in tenth place with 38 points. EFE
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