Following their stunning 4-2 victory over archrivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 after extra time, Atlético Madrid, led by Spain captain Álvaro Morata up front, welcomed a chance to make their return back to the Spanish La Liga Top Four with a win when they were visiting Granada CF at Los Cármenes on their Matchday 20 encounter of the 2023/2024 Spanish top-flight football, and they managed to secure a small margin victory of 1-0 on enemy’s territory, thanks to Spain captain Morata’s 19th goal in 28 appearances in all competitions in 2023/2024.
Spain Captain Morata Boosted Atlético’s Top Four Hopes
Former Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea striker as well as Spain captain Morata has been in superb form this season, having scored 18 goals and offered three assists in 27 games in all competitions for Atlético Madrid in this season thus far. The 31-year-old found the net when his team visited Granada CF at the latter’s home, and the goal would give him a goal away from tying his best scoring season of 20 goals, which was done in a couple of occasions, once with Los Blancos in the 2016/2017 Season and another year with the Old Lady in the 2020/2021 Season.
The Spain captain scored the only goal of the game between Granada CF and Atlético less than 10 minutes after play was resumed in the second 45 minutes. Antoine Griezmann, the all-time leading goal scorer in the history of Atlético Madrid, was able to find his strike partner and Spain captain Morata inside the penalty box with his cross from the right wing. The Spain captain Morata rose to the highest to meet the ball and headed it into the back of the net at the bottom left corner, beating opposing goalkeeper from Granada CF Augusto Batalla during the process.
Spain captain Morata’s goal would be the only goal in the full 90 minutes plus added time, giving Atlético Madrid a much needed away victory and propelling the team back to the Top Four positions of the Spanish La Liga with 18 games to go in 2023/2024.
You May Also Like: Atlético Madrid Outclass Real Madrid 4-2 After Extra Time to Reach Copa del Rey Quarterfinals
Alvaro Morata wins MVP of the Match for his goal and performance in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 victory against Granada. 💫🇪🇸pic.twitter.com/swDyvmBiex
— LaLigaExtra (@LaLigaExtra) January 22, 2024
Spain Captain Morata and Atlético’s Leading Scorer Griezmann Have Been Balling This Year
Atlético Madrid may not be the best team in the Spanish top-flight football this season, but their striker duo of Spain captain Morata and France vice captain Griezmann certainly showed up in countless situations for the Madrid outfit. With 29 and 28 games in all competitions this season so far under their belts respectively, Morata and Griezmann have combined for a total goal contribution of 45, that is, 37 goals in addition to 8 assists.
The forms that Spain captain Morata and France vice captain Griezmann have in this season’s endeavours, Atlético Madrid could still be given opportunities to challenge for international and domestic cup glories, as the team are in the Last Eight of the Copa del Rey as well as the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Diego Simeone’s side will be meeting Sevilla FC next in the Spanish Cup while their opponents waiting in the knockout stages of the top-tiered European club football competition are the current best team in the Italian Serie A, Inter Milan.
Give This a Read: Lautaro Martínez’s Stoppage-Time Goal Earns Inter Milan Their 8th Triumph at the Supercoppa Italiana
