Sports Desk, Apr 2 (EFE).- Saul Niguez struck six minutes from time to help Atletico Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 in the Spanish Laliga on Monday and return to the Champions League qualification zone.
Beaten in their last two matches, Atletico had little choice but to win in order to stay firm in the race for the European spot and took control of the game early through a strike from Axel Witsel.
But Alexander Sorloth brought the game level at the start of the second half to leave Atletico with a job in hand.
When the match appeared open, Saul, who had only been on the field for a few seconds, sank Villarreal to end their nine-match unbeaten streak.
Desperate for a win, Atletico reorganized their midfield and did not take success for granted, which prompted the club to play an attacking game.
Antoine Griezmann launched the first serious attack, providing a perfect ball to Samuel Lino, whose shot was warded off by Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Belgian Witsel took advantage of Villarreal’s poor man marking, heading home a corner kick into the far post to give Atletico the lead in just nine minutes.
Atletico got the chance to double their lead moments later, after a combination between Lino and Memphis Depay, but the Dutchman’s weak shot went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Villarreal equalized four minutes into the second half after Atletico lost the ball in the danger zone, allowing Sorloth to take a shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Villarreal took complete possession of the ball after the goal, forcing Atletico to make a number of changes that finally paid off, with Saul scoring from a goal-mouth melee.
Atletico moved to fourth place with the win that took their tally to 58 points, two points clear of their nearest rivals Athletic Club. Villarreal remained in 10th place with 38 points. EFE
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