Celta Vigo 0-3 Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann's hat-trick leads visitors past 10-man Celta
Atletico Madrid climbed to second place in LaLiga after defeating 10-man RC Celta de Vigo, extending their league winning streak to five games.
Celta began positively, almost capitalizing on an early César Azpilicueta mistake through Oscar Mingueza's drive, hoping to deliver the first win of their centenary campaign at the Estadio de Balaido.
At the other end, Samuel Lino threatened for the visitors before an Ivan Villar mistake changed the game's complexion. To make amends for sloppy handling, the Celta goalkeeper scrambled at Alvaro Morata's feet, taking out the Atleti forward in the box.
Villar was promptly dismissed for his indiscretion, much to his surprise, leaving Antoine Griezmann to send replacement goalkeeper Vicente Guaita the wrong way from the spot. Before the half wore out, Jorgen Strand Larsen ballooned a chance over the bar, but it was Atletico who finished the half out on top.
Despite being outnumbered, Celta took the game to Atleti after the restart, hitting the crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the box by Jonathan Bamba. The visitors needed a second goal to keep the hosts at bay, and they got it with 64 minutes remaining.
Griezmann led a quick transition into a dangerous area, and after looking up to assess his options, the France international caught Guaita at his near post with a mishit cross. Soon after, Jan Oblak almost gifted Celta a way back into the game, but a calculated team move sealed the points in the 70th minute, with Griezmann claiming the match ball with a simple side-footed finish.
Diego Simeone's side could have extended their lead with a bullet header from Caglar Soyuncu, but the substitute was flagged offside as Atleti cruised to victory, piling pressure on their city rivals at the top of LaLiga.
Celta remain in the relegation zone, having won just one of their first ten league games - an unfortunate situation for Rafael Bentez, who will have his work cut out for him in Galicia.
SportsLigue