Antoine Griezmann scored a double, including a goal direct from a corner, as Atletico Madrid won 2-1 at Real Betis on Sunday to move up to third in LaLiga.
The visitors struggled to create chances but took the lead early in the second half when Griezmann’s inswinging set-piece somehow found its way into the net, before the France international added a second following a neat move down the right.
Manuel Pellegrini will have been frustrated to lose a game in which his Betis side were arguably on top prior to falling behind, and they gave themselves hope when Nabil Fekir scored a late free-kick, but were unable to find another goal.
The win moves Diego Simeone’s Atletico above Real Sociedad after their defeat at Real Valladolid on Saturday.
0 – Atlético de Madrid failed to register a shot on target in the first half of consecutive LaLiga away games for the first time since December 2020, recording their lowest xG in the first half in LaLiga 2022/23 (0 vs Athletic and 0.08 vs Betis) in both games. Difficulty. pic.twitter.com/K56RuVav2g
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 23, 2022
It was a relatively uneventful first half, though the hosts did suffer a blow when Luiz Felipe was forced off injured after just 20 minutes, replaced by Victor Ruiz.
Borja Iglesias hit a hopeful shot at Jan Oblak’s near post five minutes before the break to record the first effort on target of the game. The ball was then in the Atletico net two minutes after the restart when Luiz Henrique fired a shot into the top right corner of the net from the edge of the box, but a VAR check found Iglesias to have been offside in the build-up.
Salt was firmly rubbed into the wounds in the 54th minute when the corner from Griezmann made its way through a crowd, with German Pezzella unable to keep it out at the far post.
If that goal was fortunate, the second was well-earned as a move featuring Nahuel Molina, Angel Correa and Matheus Cunha ended with the Brazilian finding Griezmann, who ran through and prodded the ball beneath Rui Silva in the Betis goal.
Substitute Fekir curled a beautiful free-kick into the top-left corner of Oblak’s goal to provide late drama, but Atletico were able to hold on for three points, despite Alex Moreno striking the bar with a header in stoppage time.
What does it mean? Atletico maintain impressive record in Andalusia
Betis came into this one having won their previous six home games in LaLiga – their longest run of consecutive home wins in the competition since February 2005 (8).
However, Atletico had not lost any of their last seven LaLiga away games (W6 D1) and had avoided defeat in 12 of their last 13 league visits to Betis, so something had to give.
It was ultimately the latter who prevailed thanks to Griezmann, though Simeone will be aware his team rode their luck at times, with the hosts recording an expected goals rate of 1.4 to Atletico’s 0.6.
Griezmann properly announces return
It almost felt at times like the ghost of Griezmann had come back from Barcelona, barely recognisable from the player who left for the Camp Nou for big money in 2019.
Having newly made his loan move back to Madrid permanent, however, the 31-year-old looks ready to rediscover his form and has now contributed to goals in his last four LaLiga games (3 goals, 2 assists).
Wasteful Iglesias costs Betis
Iglesias has been in excellent nick this season, scoring seven goals in nine LaLiga games.
Today was not his day, though, as he attempted four shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a Real Betis player in LaLiga this season, and without success.
Iglesias has also now failed to be involved in any goals in six league games as a Betis player against Atletico.
What’s next?
Both are back in European action in midweek, with Betis away to Ludogorets in the Europa League on Thursday, while Atletico host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday.
