Atletico thrash Valladolid 5-0 to provisionally move to second in LaLiga

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Real Valladolid vs. Atletico Madrid - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Real Valladolid vs. Atletico Madrid, 12/01/2024

Updated: Nov 30, 2024, 05:43 pm

Atlético Madrid hammered bottom side Real Valladolid 5-0 in a LaLiga encounter at the Jose Zorrilla stadium on Saturday and provisionally moved up to second place in the table.

Atlético, who claimed their seventh straight win in all competitions, are on 32 points, two ahead of Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. Barcelona, who lost 2-1 to Las Palmas earlier on Saturday, remain top with 34 points.

"I'm happy with the team's performance. We know that every match is important and we came out very well today. Three important points and let's keep going like this," Atlético forward Antoine Griezmann told DAZN.

Clément Lenglet opened the scoring for Atletico after 26 minutes with a close-range finish from Marcos Llorente's cross from the right, marking the French defender's first LaLiga goal since 2020.

Julián Álvarez doubled the lead in the 35th minute, pouncing on a rebound from goalkeeper Karl Hein who had blocked Griezmann's shot but could not deny the Argentina forward from the second attempt.

Alexander Sørloth rounded off the scoring for Atlético Madrid in second-half stoppage time.
Diego Souto/Getty Images

Rodrigo De Paul made it 3-0 two minutes later with a first-time low shot, before Griezmann added another goal seven minutes into the second half after a brilliant move that drew applause from the opposing fans.

"I am grateful for the applause [from Valladolid fans]. That's what we footballers want, for them to enjoy us, whether they are our opponents or our team," Griezmann added.

"The affection is appreciated. I feel very good and I hope to give more."

Valladolid's Iván Sánchez got the closest chance to put the hosts on the scoresheet but his 72nd-minute attempt hit the crossbar.

Alexander Sørloth then scored a stoppage-time goal as Valladolid slumped to their tenth defeat in 15 games, leaving them bottom of the table on nine points.

"There is no explanation, we played a very bad game," Valladolid captain Javi Sánchez said.

"We have to be critical of ourselves. We had the hope of turning the situation around but it didn't go well."