Atletico Madrid successfully ends Real Madrid Unbeaten and perfect start into the La Liga season.
In their first Spanish league matchup of the year on Sunday, Atletico Madrid defeated their rival 3-1 to snap its unbeaten start.
After six straight triumphs across all competitions this season, Madrid suffered its first loss thanks to two goals from lvaro Morata and one from Antoine Griezmann. The only goal for the visitors came from Toni Kroos.
With 16 points apiece after six games, Catalan clubs Barcelona and Girona are now in first place. On Saturday, Girona defeated Mallorca 5-3, while Barcelona, the defending champion, fought late to upset Celta Vigo 3-2.
Madrid remained in third place, one point back. It had won five straight league games before defeating Union Berlin on Wednesday in the Champions League group stage. Madrid was the only team in the league to have a flawless record thus far.
Atletico, who had 10 points and was in fifth place, had just suffered its first setback of the year, a 3-0 loss at Valencia. The other games played by Diego Simeone’s group ended in two victories and a draw. This month’s league match against Sevilla was postponed due to severe weather.
“We played a great match,” Simeone said. “The team recovered its spirit and, when that happens, it doesn’t matter the rival.”
Atletico scored three goals, all of which were headers on Sunday at the Metropolitano stadium. Griezmann scored in the 18th minute, while Morata scored in the fourth and 46th. After Kroos got past a defender and scored from outside the box in the 35th minute, Madrid scored.
In the 44th minute, a goal by Madrid was canceled for offside.
Vinicius Jnior, who was scheduled to return from injury but was pulled from the team at the last minute due to a stomach ailment, was not someone Ancelotti could rely on.
Takefusa Kubo, a Japanese forward, opened the score for Real Sociedad two minutes into the game as the hosts defeated Getafe 4-3 at home. Villarreal drew 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano with the clubs scoring one minute apart early in the first half.
Also on Sunday, Real Betis and Cadiz drew 1-1 at home, and 10-man Las Palmas defeated visiting Granada 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Kirian Rodriguez.