Atletico Madrid’s rejuvenated Antoine Griezmann hit a brace, including a goal straight from a corner, to help his team win 2-1 at Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday. After a shaky first half, the game came alive in the second, with the hosts having a goal disallowed before Griezmann continued his excellent form with a double. Nabil Fekir scored a goal for Betis in the 84th minute with a superb free kick, creating a thrilling final, but Diego Simeone’s side held on to the three points and finished third, while Betis is currently fifth.
Griezmann, who took home the winner against Athletic Bilbao and scored a goal for Alvaro Morata in his team’s last two games, broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion in the 54th minute.
The French forward, who recently finalized his loaned transfer from Barcelona to Atletico, fired in a corner, narrowly over the head of Saul, with the ball into the far post, despite the efforts of Betis defender German Pezzella.
The second soon followed, followed by substitute Matheus Cunha, Griezmann pressed a shot past goalkeeper Rui Silva to his nearest post, who might have done more to keep it out.
“I wanted to put (the corner) in with a tight corner, hard, and in the end there was also a bit of luck,” Griezmann told Movistar.
“I told the referee that I had never scored a goal from a corner before, I am very happy.
“I try to do everything I can to improve and help the team as best I can. Working defensively and giving goals and assists. I will try to keep it up.”
– Climbing the rankings -Griezmann, who started the season as a substitute when Atletico tried to avoid a mandatory appearance clause in Barcelona’s lease before signing a permanent deal for him, now has 147 goals for the club.
Overtaking Paco Campos, who scored 146 goals in the 1940s, makes Griezmann the third-highest scorer in Atletico history, falling just 25 strikes short of equaling Luis Aragones’ club record.
Luis Henrique crossed the line for Betis on the half hour mark, in an opening period with little action, with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak also denying Borja Iglesias and blocking a free kick from Andres Guardado.
The second half was a different beast, with Henrique on the run up seeing an early attack disallowed for offside against Iglesias, before Griezmann scored twice.
Juan Cruz should have pulled one back for Betis, but shot wildly as the ball fell on him in the penalty area, before Fekir’s juicy free kick from the edge of the penalty area gave his team a lifeline.
Alex Moreno hit Oblak’s crossbar in stoppage time and Atletico survived a penalty appeal immediately after against Reinildo Mandava for a handball after William Carvalho fouled him.
Earlier at the bottom of the rankings, Elche saved a point at Espanyol in a 2-2 draw thanks to a late goal by Gonzalo Verdu.
The visitors had taken the lead with a nice header by Pere Milla, but Javi Puado tied the score and former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite sent Espanyol ahead.
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Verdu’s goal in the 82nd minute saved a point for Jorge Almiron’s side, but they are left without a win of the first 11 games, with just four points.
Later on Sunday, Barcelona will receive Athletic Bilbao because they want to put pressure on leader Real Madrid, which defeated Sevilla on Saturday.
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