Ivan Martin’s late winner in the stoppage-time guided Girona to a dramatic 4-3 home win against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, keeping them equal on points with table toppers Real Madrid in the LaLiga league. Alvaro Morata was brilliant on the field and scored a hat-trick, helping Atletico to claw back from 3-1 down to draw level. Still, Girona’s forward Martin demonstrated superb close control before blasting into the top corner to claim the three points and maintain Girona’s remarkable start to the season.
Surprise package Girona moved to 48 points, behind Real Madrid, who beat Mallorca 1-0 earlier on Wednesday. With 38 points under their belt, Atletico Madrid is placed third. Girona and Atletico will kick off their Spanish Cup campaigns on January 6, Saturday against Elche and Lugo, respectively.
Girona started strong and scored the opener in just two minutes into the game with Valery Fernandez curling in a fantastic shot from the edge of the box, but Atletico leveled the score in the 14th minute through Morata. Girona’s high pressure paid off as they snatched the ball from Atletico’s Koke before Savio scored on the second try in the 26th minute to make it 2-1.
Dutch defender Daley Blind expanded the hosts’ lead with a tap-in in the 39th minute before Morata equalized for Atletico with a stunning solo run in the final minute of the first half. Girona defenders found it hard to stop Morata and the Spanish striker scored his third goal of the night in the 53rd minute, blasting home from within the area to make it 3-3. However, Martin clinched the game for Girona with a stunner.
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. I’m happy to play the way I’m playing. European football is there for us, but we have to keep going, Martin said after the victory.
Winning LaLiga is not the objective, Girona coach Michel said. First, think game by game and try to reach Europe, which would make history for this club. Today was a great game, really difficult, and our players did a lot well. Atletico also played a great game. My players have an incredible mentality and always give everything to take the match forward, he added. Our dream is to make Europe, but we can’t fight toe-to-toe with Real Madrid. To have the level of points of the big teams is very difficult, Michel concluded.
