La Liga: Girona edge Atletico Madrid to keep pace with Real Madrid
GIRONA: Alvaro Morata’s hat trick went in vain as Ivan Martin’s stoppage-time goal powered Girona to a dramatic 4-3 home victory against Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Wednesday.
The 4-3 victory over Atletico kept Girona level on points with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga standings.
Morata showcased his prowess by scoring a hat-trick to level the score after Atletico was trailing 3-1.
Meanwhile, Girona’s Martin exhibited impressive control over the ball before delivering a remarkable shot into the top corner of the net, securing a stunning victory for his team and maintaining their impressive start to the season.
Watch Free HD Live Streaming on ARY ZAP
La Liga 2023/24 underdogs Girona moved to 48 points, just behind Real Madrid on goal difference, who beat Mallorca 1-0 earlier on Wednesday while Atletico Madrid remained in third with 38 points.
“We dropped a game, we dropped points and now we have to think about what’s to come,” said Morata.
“It’s football. We’ve lost, everything else doesn’t matter. We have to get our heads up, rest, the Cup and the Super Cup are coming up and we don’t have much time to think about it.”
Valery Fernandez’s looping strike from the edge of the box gave Girona the lead two minutes into the match before Morata’s goal in the 14th minute gave Atletico the equalizer.
Girona’s high press paid off as they managed to steal the ball from Koke of Atletico before Savio scored in the 26th minute on his second try to make it 2-1.
Dutch defender Daley Blind had expanded the lead for the hosts with a tap-in in the 39th minute before Morata pulled one back for Atletico with a brilliant solo run in the last minute of the first half.
Morata scored his third in the 53rd minute, striking from inside the box to tie the score once more, but Martin’s incredible strike gave Girona a decisive lead later on.
“I was lucky to score the goal. It’s no coincidence, we’ve been doing a great job since we were in the second tier,” said Martin. “I’m happy to play the way I’m playing. European football is there for us, but we have to keep going.”
