In-form Atletico hammer Valladolid as Griezmann nets stunner

VALLADOLID, Spain: Atletico Madrid romped to a 5-0 victory at bottom side Real Valladolid on Saturday to climb provisionally second in La Liga, with Antoine Griezmann scoring one of the goals of the season.

Diego Simeone´s side have won seven consecutive games across all competitions and moved two points clear of champions Real Madrid, third, who host Getafe on Sunday. Atletico trail league leaders Barcelona by two points after the Catalans fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at home against Las Palmas.

Clement Lenglet opened the scoring after 25 minutes and Julian Alvarez added the second. Rodrigo de Paul swept home the third before half-time and Griezmann produced a wonderful turn and finish soon after the break to add the fourth on a memorable night for the Rojiblancos, which even some home fans applauded. Alexander Sorloth wrapped up Atletico´s thumping victory in stoppage time.

“I have to thank (the Valladolid fans), in the end it´s what all players want, we want people to enjoy it with us, whether it´s opposition or our own fans,” Griezmann told DAZN. “In the end I have to be grateful for this love, I´m doing really well and I hope to give more.” Lenglet prodded home from close range to put Atletico ahead midway through the first half from Marcos Llorente´s dangerous ball across the face of goal.

Atletico were dominant and the second followed when Karl Hein saved Griezmann´s shot but Argentina international Alvarez was on hand to tuck away his fourth goal in four games across all competitions. Two minutes later De Paul finished neatly after a fine team move involving left-back Javi Galan, who cut the ball back to the midfielder after a couple of one-twos.

Jose Gimenez headed home the fourth briefly before the interval but the goal was disallowed for an offside in the build-up. Instead Griezmann had the honours, producing the goal of the night early in the second half, exchanging passes with Alvarez before executing a sensational turn and beating Hein with a delicate touch.

Ivan Sanchez hit the bar for the hosts but they could not find a consolation goal with Atletico stopper Jan Oblak largely untroubled. Atletico completed their rout when Angel Correa unselfishly squared for Sorloth to fire home the fifth goal in his team´s ruthless rout.