LaLiga: Girona Keeps Pace With Real After Beating Atletico
A stoppage-time goal from Ivan Martin earned Girona a thrilling 4-3 home win against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, keeping the team level on points with Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish LaLiga table.
Girona opened the scoring two minutes into the game with Valery Fernandez curling in a great shot from the edge of the box before Atletico levelled through Morata in the 14th minute. Girona’s high pressing paid off as they stole the ball from Atletico’s Koke before Savinho scored at the second attempt to make it 2-1 in the 26th minute.
Dutch defender Daley Blind extended the hosts’ lead in the 39th minute with a tap-in before Morata pulled one back for Atletico with a fine solo run in the last minute of the first half. 3-2!
Morata got his third in the 53rd minute, firing home from inside the box to equalise again. 3-3!. However, Martin sealed the win for Girona with a brilliant strike.
Atletico striker Alvaro Morata had grabbed a hat-trick as they fought back from 3-1 down to level, but Martin showed superb close control before firing into the top corner to snatch the three points for Girona.
The victory maintained Girona’s stunning start to the 2023/2024 LaLiga season.
FT #GironaAtleti 4-3
We just witnessed something historic 🍿#LALIGAEASPORTS | #ResultsByVisitSaudi pic.twitter.com/8s8hhvvg2a
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) January 3, 2024
“I was lucky to score the goal. It’s no coincidence, we’ve been doing a great job since we were in the second tier,” said Martin. “I’m happy to play the way I’m playing. European football is there for us, but we have to keep going.”
Surprise package Girona moved to 48 points, behind Real Madrid who beat Mallorca 1-0 earlier on Wednesday, on goal difference. Atletico Madrid remain third with 38 points.
Girona and Atletico kick off their Spanish Cup campaigns on Saturday against Elche and Lugo respectively.
Wednesday’s LaLiga results
Granada 2-0 Cadiz
Celta Vigo 2-1 Real Betis
Real Madrid 1-0 Mallorca
Girona 4-3 Atletico Madrid.
Comments are closed.