Atletico Madrid scored a late goal, to register 1-0 win over Real Valladolid at the Wanda Metropolitano. With the win, Atletico Madrid, claimed the third spot in La Liga table at the end of Matchday 30.
Substitute Vitolo header was headed back by Kiko, before it crossed the goalie.
Vitolo came off the bench to replace Marcos Llorente at 73 minutes, after Angel Corea and Diego Costa replaced Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata respectively at 64th minute.
Waldo Rubio had almost provided Valladolid lead, as Jan Oblak denied to his right to palm over the crossbar. Matheus Fernandes went similarly close to score at 30 minutes.
Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix fell short couple of times when they failed to score. The former headed the ball off target from Hector Herrera’s cross. Joao Felix had been off target couple of times, else the Portuguese could have another brace by his name.
Atletico Madrid vs Valladolid – Goal
Thomas Partey had a deadly strike from 35-yard moments before the goal, as Jose Antonio Caro turned the ball away for a corner.
The breakthrough came from the Koke corner, as Vitolo headed a loose ball towards goal at the far post.
Valladolid defender Kiko Olivas tried to fend off with a spectacularly diving header and he was successful too, but VAR confirmed that the ball indeed crossed the line.
Diego Costa didn’t not scored goal, but the introduction of the Brazil born – Spanish international changed the dynamic of the match for Atletico Madrid. Even as he enters the twilight of his career, Costa would be important figure in Simeone’s line up.
Atletico Madrid – Starting Eleven
Jan Oblak, Manuel Sánchez, Mario Hermoso, José Giménez, Kieran Trippier, Thomas Lemar, Thomas Partey, Héctor Herrera, Marcos Llorente, Álvaro Morata, João Félix
Atletico Madrid – Substitutes
Vitolo, Carrasco, Correa, Costa, Koke.
Valladolid- Starting Eleven
José Antonio Caro, Raúl García, Javi Sánchez, Kiko, Antoñito, Federico San Emeterio, Míchel, Matheus Fernandes, Waldo Rubio, Sergio Guardiola Navarro, Pablo Hervías
Valladolid – Substitutes
Perez, Alcaraz, de la Fuente, Plano, Unal
