Struggling Villarreal hosted Atletico Madrid at the El Madrigal on Matchday 30 on Monday night. Both teams have had mediocre seasons thus far in the league owing to their reputations. Fans have been looking out for this match as it was one of the best games in the La Liga this week. Both teams have produced some great encounters in the past and once again the onus was on them to produce a thriller.
It was a high intensity clash from the first minute itself as the two teams were fighting for the ball and trying to attack with every small opportunity. Atletico Madrid started the proceedings on the right foot as they got the early goal which the fans desired. Axel Witsel found himself at the right position during the ninth minute to net home from the corner to give his side the advantage.
Villarreal then started off and wanted to equalise and were putting the Atletico defence under immense pressure. The next 20 minutes, it was mostly domination from the home side but unfortunately they could not find the net. Both teams switched off for a while and were not taking enough risks before half-time.
How did the second half go between Atletico Madrid and Villareal?
Marcelino Garcia Toral was able to bring some momentum back for his side with an inspired team talk. It paid off as the team started brightly and that was rewarded with a stunning finish from just outside the box from Alexander Sorloth.
Both teams then chose the time to make some substitutions and bring some fresh legs into the game. There were some key chances that the sides created without much reward and it was onto the substitutes to make their mark on the game.
Madrid’s changes provided the much-needed second goal for them as Cesar Azpiculeta passed it to another substitute in the form of Saul Niguez who headed home the winner. In the end, the yellow submarine was not able to do much after the third goal of the game. The game ended 2-1 in the favour of Atletico Madrid
The Diego Simeone led team is known to be competing for the title almost every season but have not been able to keep in touch with their neighbours Real Madrid this time around. With this win, the side went into fourth position, which are the Champions League spots with eight games to play in the league.
Fans react as Atletico Madrid clinch victory against Villareal through yet another late winner: -
2-1 Atlético Madrid.
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) April 1, 2024
SAUL GIVES THEM THE LEAD IN THE 87TH MINUTE OF THE GAME !!!!!!!!!!!!! HUGE GOAL IN THEIR RACE FOR TOP 4 !!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/p7ssYxIOfA
2-1 Atlético Madrid.
— Football Report (@FootballReprt) April 1, 2024
SAUL GIVES THEM THE LEAD IN THE 87TH MINUTE OF THE GAME !!!!!!!!!!!!! HUGE GOAL IN THEIR RACE FOR TOP 4 !!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/DwTU9gIztc
Madrid is winning the league in their next match
— Tunde AI (@Tunde_AI) April 1, 2024
How did they look like Hoffeinheim? 😭😭😂
— Alhaji Buddol 🍀 (@Buddol01) April 1, 2024
Dani Parejo got the chance to put Villarreal upfront but .........
— 🤍🦅 (@BlvckFederico) April 1, 2024
ATM are having an incredible season only that they don't turn up when they need to the most
— Covenant (@covenantism) April 1, 2024
Easy win for atletico
— Holarpizzle (@HHolarpizz2024) April 1, 2024
This is more than surprise
— covenant breaker🇹🇷🇺🇲 (@AbrahamBrownso3) April 1, 2024
Well deserved, what a player!
— Mal (@iamBinHuzairu) April 1, 2024
I forgot Atletico was part of the league.
— Nagash ✨👨🏾💻 (@nagash_OG) April 1, 2024
They’ve been lowkey this season.