Celta frustrate Atlético

RC Celta rounded off Sunday's round of fixtures in the Liga BBVA by beating Atlético Madrid 2-0 thanks to goals by Nolito and Fabián Orellana. The league champions remain third in the league and slip seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, while the Galicaians climb up to ninth place.

The first half belonged to Celta, who owned the ball and had Atlético pinned back in their area. However, the Galicians could not take advantage of their dominance and the two teams went into their respective dressing rooms at half-time with the game goalless. Atlético barely troubled Celta goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez, who dealt comfortably with the visitors' only two shots in the opening 45 minutes.

Diego Simeone's side improved after the break and began getting into the opposing area with greater frequency, but just as the visitors started playing their best football, Nolito gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot, in the 58th minute. The goal revitalised Celta, who could have even have scored a second a few minutes later when Nolito crossed for Joaquín Larrivey, who missed an open goal.

Antoine Griezmann tried to level the scores but was denied by Sergio Álvarez on the goalline, and the fans inside the Estadio de Balaídos urged their team forward in search of another goal, which arrived in the 71st minute thanks to a thrilling team move. with Orellana blasting the ball home after receiving a pass from Michael Krohn-Delhi. The hosts remained in control for the remaining minutes and could even have scored a third goal, but this time Orellana was denied by Miguel Ángel Moyà.