MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid barged their way back into the Spanish La Liga title race with a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in a feisty derby at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday (Feb 9).
Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale's strikes inflicted Atletico's first home defeat of the season across all competitions and moved the European champions up to second, within five points of leaders Barcelona, as their revival under Santiago Solari continued.
Antoine Griezmann equalised for Atletico after Casemiro's overhead kick sent Real ahead, but Ramos slammed home from the penalty spot before halftime to silence the home fans.
Atletico's Alvaro Morata netted a brilliant lob against his former side but it was ruled out for offside before Bale drilled in the visitors' third to secure the points for Real Madrid.
Thomas Partey was dismissed after getting his second yellow card at the end of a disappointing afternoon for Diego Simeone's side, who dropped to third after losing for the second weekend in a row.
"La Liga is there to fight for, there are a lot of points to win and any team can make your life hard," Real captain Ramos said.
"Winning the league motivates us, it's a really balanced competition and we have to keep fighting for it and making life difficult for Barcelona." A vibrant atmosphere at the Wanda Metropolitano also carried an undercurrent of anger as Atletico fans threw stuffed toy rats at Thibaut Courtois's goal.
It was the Belgian goalkeeper's first return to play his former side Atletico since signing for Real Madrid and he endured an uncomfortable afternoon.
Atletico started brightly with Griezmann firing into the side netting but Real moved ahead in the 16th minute when Casemiro scored a spectacular overhead kick after a corner was flicked on to him.
Atletico levelled when Griezmann slotted home coolly through Courtois's legs after Correa played him in, with home fans enduring an agonising wait while VAR verified that the French striker was onside.
The VAR system was referred to again when Jose Gimenez brought down Vinicius Jr. on the edge of the box, with referee Xavier Estrada Fernandez deciding the foul continued into the area.
Ramos smashed home from the spot to send his side back into the lead just before halftime and Bale netted the third to seal an impressive victory for Real and a painful loss for Atletico who had previously conceded just four goals at home.
"We lost today, we must look forward and keep working, there is still a lot of fight for," said Atletico skipper Diego Godin.
"There is a long way to go, we have to do our part and the rest is not in our hands."
Mar 25, 2019 · Cardiff will tell Fifa that Emiliano Sala's move from Nantes was invalid when they respond to a complaint over their refusal to pay the Ligue 1 club his £15m transfer fee
Cardiff not intending to pay Sala fee | Footy Accumulators
Football: Tampines Rovers thrash Home United 5-1 to top Singapore Premier League table SINGAPORE - Two games, two wins, 10 goals scored. The 2019 Singapore Premier League may only be in its second round this week, but Tampines Rovers are proving themselves worthy contenders for their first domestic league title since 2013.
Tampines Rovers thrash Hougang United in Singapore Premier
Klopp not falling for title talk trap, Football News & Top
Scoring an issue for Protectors despite first win Home United breathed life into their AFC Cup campaign after beating Lao Toyota 1-0 yesterday, but concerns linger over their ability to score. The win, courtesy of a header from defender Abdil Qaiyyim before 1,227 fans at Jalan Besar Stadium, saw the Protectors create enough chances to put the
2019 NBA Finals Odds: Raptors Slight Underdogs Despite Game 1
LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) - England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia
England football captain Kane honoured at Buckingham Palace
Pakistan did not qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, being eliminated by Bangladesh in the first round of the AFC qualifying section, losing the first game 3-0, but drawing 0-0 in the return game, being 3-0 as the aggregate score. In 2014, Pakistan played a 2 match friendly series with India.
Philippines women's national football team - Howling Pixel
: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates after scoring Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images Sergio Aguero's 14th hat-trick for Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to only two points after victory over Arsenal at Etihad Stadium.
Aguero Hat-Trick Fires Man City To 3-1 Win Over Arsenal
- Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the vacant job at Benfica, saying he has no intention of coaching in his native Portugal for the time being.
Jose Mourinho lands punditry role as he rules himself out of
Tottenham not ready to win titles: Pochettino, Football News
A clinical Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 away in an intense Copa del Rey semi-final, second leg on Wednesday as a Luis Suarez double helped them secure a 4-1 aggregate victory and a spot in the
R Madrid 0 - 3 Barcelona - Match Report & Highlights
"Whenever our captain says something the rest of us follow," said Rakitic at a press conference on Tuesday. "Leo has been a La Liga champion 10 times in 15 years and of course, after seeing him lift the cup (on Saturday) with such happiness, that motivates everyone.
Football: Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to
PARIS (Reuters) - France got off to a perfect start in the women's World Cup as the hosts beat South Korea 4-0 in the opening game at the Parc des Princes on Friday. Eugenie Le Sommer and captain Amandine Henry scored either side of a Wendie Renard double as 45,261 fans watched the one-sided encounter from the stands.
Soccer-France make light work of South Korea in World Cup
0 comments:
Post a Comment