Atletico Madrid’s Crucial 1-0 Win Over Granada

Morata’s Header Seals the Victory

On Monday night, Atletico Madrid secured a vital 1-0 victory against Granada with a second-half header from Alvaro Morata. This win propelled them into La Liga’s top four, revitalizing their season.

Capitalizing on Athletic Bilbao’s earlier stumble against Valencia, Atletico surpassed their Basque rivals on goal difference. However, they still face an 11-point gap with surprise league leaders Girona.

Cautious Start and Growing Pressure

Despite facing a relegation-threatened opponent, Atletico started cautiously. Granada, fighting for survival, put up a spirited fight. It took until the 31st minute for the visitors to truly threaten, with Rodrigo Riquelme forcing a save from Granada’s goalkeeper Augusto Batalla. Seconds later, Griezmann’s shot hit the crossbar, showing Atletico’s increasing pressure.

Morata’s Aerial Prowess Breaks the Deadlock

In the 55th minute, Morata’s aerial prowess broke the deadlock. The in-form striker met Griezmann’s precise cross with a powerful header, leaving Batalla helpless. Although the goal underwent a VAR review for offside, it stood, bringing relief to Atletico.

The remaining minutes saw a flurry of Atletico chances, with Samuel Lino hitting the woodwork and Saul Niguez denied by VAR for offside. Griezmann, determined to score, tested Batalla twice, with his second attempt, a late curler, hitting the post.

Despite not adding to their lead, Atletico held firm defensively, securing their second league win in five games. This hard-fought victory not only propels them into the top four but also injects much-needed momentum into their La Liga campaign. The climb to the top may be tough, but with Morata leading and Griezmann rediscovering his scoring touch, Atletico Madrid aims to leave a mark on this La Liga season.