Match Report: Valiant VCF lose out to Atletico Madrid in 5-goal thriller (3-2)

Valencia CF played Atletico Madrid on the road at the Wanda Metropolitano on matchday 34 of LaLiga Santander at 7.30 pm kick-off time in a rainy evening in the Spanish capital. Valencia CF had a slow start and with the home side having the initiative.

Álvaro Morata made it 1-0 to Atletico Madrid after poking home a Juan Fran cross on the stretch in the 8th minute. Valencia CF had their first shot on goal in the manner of Goncalo Guedes from outside the area but his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Savic.

Santi Mina had another chance over the 30-minute mark after a great ball by Jose Luis Gayà but his effort went wide.

Moments later, however, former Atletico Madrid man, Kevin Gmeiro haunted his old club with a brilliant finish following a great ball out wide into Carlos Soler who sent it to Mina who shimmied around Godin and Savic before giving it to Gameiro to fire Valencia CF back level.

Santi Mina headed it narrowly wide after a great ball from Gonçalo Guedes. Dani Parejo had the last kick of the half for Valencia CF but he volleyed it straight at Oblak. The first half-finished 1-1 with all to play for in the second half.

The second half started in the worst way possible with Atletico Madrid getting back in front through Antoine Griezmann who headed it past Neto Murara just four minutes into the second period.

The first chance of the second half fell to Carlos Soler whose follow-up shot was saved by Oblak. Minutes later, Jan Oblak denied Soler the equaliser from close range after a great link-up play.

Dani Parejo levelled it up for Valencia CF from twelve yards out after a VAR review adjudged that Gameiro’s shot hit Saúl Ñiguez’s arm on its way in. Dani Parejo planted it beyond Jan Oblak into the bottom left corner.

Ángel Correa put Atletico Madrid back in front with a long rage bending effort beyond Neto Murara. The match ended in a 3-2 loss to Valencia CF in a five-goal thriller where they came away harshly unrewarded.   

Valencia CF will welcome SD Eibar on Sunday at 12 pm kick-off time at Mestalla on matchday 35.

Match Details:

3. Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Filipe Luis (Correa, 63), Rodrigo, Saúl, Koke, Lemar (Thomas, m.70), Morata (Arias, m.83) and Griezmann.

2. Valencia CF: Neto, Wass, Garay, Diakhaby, Gayá, Carlos Soler, Parejo, Coquelin, Guedes (Rubén Sobrino, 59), Gameiro and Santi Mina.

Goals: 1-0. M. 8: Morata. 1-1. M. 35: Gameiro. 2-1. M. 48: Griezmann. 2-2. M. 76:  Parejo penalty. 3-2. M. 80: Correa.

Referee: Hernández Hernández (Las Palmas committee). He booked Morata, Filipe Luis and Saúl for Atletico Madrid, and Carlos Soler, Rubén Sobrino and Diakhaby for Valencia CF.

Observations: Matchday 33 of LaLiga played on Wednesday at 7.30 pm at the Wanda Metropolitano.