Griezmann gives Atletico Madrid win against Athletic Bilbao

Sun, Feb 19, 2023
Other News (AP)

MADRID (AP) - Antoine Griezmann made a great run from near the halfway line to score for Atletico Madrid in a 1-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league on Sunday, allowing Diego Simeone's team to strengthen its hold on the final Champions League place.

The goal saw Griezmann speeding past two defenders before entering the area and firing a low shot into the net in the 73rd minute, giving Atletico its fourth win in five league matches.

The victory left the team four points ahead of fifth-place Real Betis, which won 2-1 against Valladolid on Saturday. Atletico is two points behind third-place Real Sociedad, which drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Atletico is 10 points behind city rival Real Madrid and 15 points behind league leader Barcelona, which later Sunday will try to extend its six-game winning streak in the competition when it hosts relegation-threatened Cadiz.

Bilbao, which was trying to win its third league game in a row, stayed in seventh place and missed a chance to move closer to the European places.

"It was a very important match," Griezmann said. "We have to keep this going, keep getting the victories and the three points."

It was Griezmann's second goal in the last 17 matches with Atletico in all competitions.

"I was looking forward to scoring again," Griezmann said. "These are streaks, and I hope I can keep this one going."

SEVILLA HELD

Sevilla lost some momentum after being held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.

Suso scored in the 29th for 12th-place Sevilla, which was looking to win its third in a row in the league.

The result kept Sevilla unbeaten in seven straight league games at Rayo, which equalized with Florian Lejeune in the 65th.

Rayo, which has drawn two in a row, stayed in sixth place and missed a chance to move closer to the Champions League places.

LATE WIN

Sergi Darder scored two minutes into stoppage time as Espanyol defeated last-place Elche 1-0 to end a three-game winless streak and move further away from the relegation zone.

Elche won its first league match of the season two rounds ago, but has two consecutive defeats since then.

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Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

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