Atlético de Madrid consolidated their place in the La Liga top four as a brace from Antoine Griezmann helped Diego Simeone’s side to a 3-1 victory over Girona. The result extends the Colchoneros’ dominant home record this season to 21 wins in 24 matches (one draw, two losses). Coming into the weekend with a nine-point buffer over fifth-placed Athletic Club, Girona travelled to the capital with European qualification firmly within their grasp. Míchel’s men came flying out the blocks, and their positive start was rewarded with an opener inside four minutes, when a brilliant team move culminated in Artem Dovbyk tapping home from Yan Couto’s delivery into the six-yard box. The hosts looked to gain a foothold in the match after that early setback, but it was Girona who came close to doubling their lead as Aleix García fired narrowly wide from long range.
After a disjointed opening half-hour, Atlético were given a golden opportunity to draw level when Miguel Gutiérrez was penalised for handball in the box, allowing Griezmann to step up and fire the resulting penalty into the bottom corner. Armed with the momentum, Simeone’s side went in pursuit of another goal before the interval, and it duly arrived in stoppage time, as Álvaro Morata’s superb inswinging delivery was glanced into the far corner by Ángel Correa.
Determined to press home their advantage, the hosts extended their lead within five minutes of the restart. A loose touch in the box from Jhon Solís was pounced upon by Griezmann, and the Frenchman rifled a clinical strike into the roof of the net for his 21st goal of the season. Faced with a two-goal deficit, Girona probed for a route back into the contest, but Jan Oblak stood firm in the Atlético goal to deny Yangel Herrera and García.
That was ultimately as close as the Blanquivermells came to a late consolation, with the hosts dominating the closing stages to secure a third consecutive win across all competitions. Girona, meanwhile, will be desperate to bounce back against Cádiz next weekend after a fifth successive away defeat in La Liga.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 31FridayBetis – Celta 2-1 (0-0)/Miranda 53, Fekir 83 – Larsen 90+1/Saturday Atl.Madrid – Girona 3-1 (2-1)/Griezman 34 pen, 50, Correa 45+6 – Dovbyk 4/17:15: (2.30) Rayo Vallecano (3.20) Getafe (3.60)19:30: (5.00) Mallorca (3.50) Real Madrid (1.75)22:00: (4.40) Cadiz (3.50) Barcelona (1.85)Sunday 15:00: (2.75) Las Palmas (3.15) Sevilla (2.90)17:15: (3.15) Granada (3.10) Alaves (2.45)19:30: (1.80) Ath.Bilbao (3.60) Villareal (4.60)22:00: (1.33) Sociedad (5.00) Almeria (10.0)Monday 22:00: (2.30) Osasuna (3.10) Valencia (3.40)***odds are subject to change***