Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Betis: Those who do not like football could use the match between Atlético Madrid and Real Betis to underline their right. In a less than entertaining spectacle at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s team won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Ángel Correa.
Luck and class flashes Correa decisive in the final phase in Madrid
In the first half, only Antoine Griezmann on behalf of Atlético Madrid, where Memphis Depay had to watch with an injury, was dangerous once, and it was not a really big chance for the Frenchman either. After an hour, the first really big chance of the match was for Yannick Carrasco. A cross landed right at the far post, his attempt was saved by Betis goalie Rui Silva.
In the final phase, this match got the winner he deserved the most. Correa was lucky to get the ball on two occasions, but the Argentinian then also had a few moves that were a lot nicer before he decided this boring pot with his sixth league goal. With that, the red and white are doing great business towards qualifying for the Champions League, the Andalusian visitors are damaged in the same battle and remain in fifth place.
Spanish newspapers raved about Benzema: “He has his Ballon d’Or mode on”
On the other side of Madrid, Real Madrid had little trouble with Real Valladolid on Sunday. Rodrygo had already scored the first goal when Karim Benzema stepped in: the French veteran needed seven minutes for a hat-trick. It would be 6-0, and after that tennis result it rained compliments in the press.
Marca bites the bullet: “in the assessments he gets a ten. This was his best version again. His mix with Rodrygo turned out to be an explosive one. He showed a nose for goal at 2-0, and he showed his class with the third and fourth goal. He has become a real killer. In this match we saw the Ballon d’Or winner again.”
“A cat with seven lives,” headlines El Mundo Deportivo about Benzema – in Spain. According to the saying, cats have not eight but six chances to die without being fatal. “The Frenchman responded to those who would like to see him retire with a meteorite hat-trick in 6.5 minutes. We saw all his punch ahead of the two appointments that will define the White Shirts season: Wednesday in the cup semi-final against Barcelona, and a week later at home against Chelsea in the quarter-final of the Champions League.”
“He has his Ballon d’Or mode on,” AS rubs his hands. “Judging by the line-up, it seemed like no one was up for this game, except Benzema. A stunning collection of goals. The complete repertoire in fifteen minutes, by a football player who stands up now that the team desperately needs it.”
