Atletico Madrid secures a convincing 6-0 victory over Celtic

Posted : 08 November 2023

Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata both found the back of the net twice in a resounding 6-0 victory for Atletico Madrid over a struggling 10-man Celtic on Tuesday, propelling them to the top of their Champions League group.

Atletico initiated the scoring early in the match, thanks to a goal from Griezmann. However, it was a tough contest until Celtic's Daizen Maeda was shown a red card for a high foot midway through the first half. This expulsion changed the game's dynamics significantly.

Morata capitalized on the advantage with a second goal for Atletico before halftime. The second half saw Atletico amass more goals, with both Griezmann and Morata scoring again, while Samuel Lino and Saul Niguez also got on the scoresheet.

At the end of the day, Atletico's emphatic victory leaves them at the top of the group with eight points, ahead of Lazio in second place and former group leaders Feyenoord in third. Celtic finds themselves at the bottom of the group with only one point.

Diego Simeone, Atletico's manager, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "The team didn't lower its rhythm of play, they were always looking for more. It's a crunch moment for everyone (in the group), it will be tricky until the end."

This commanding performance by Atletico was a strong rebound from a disappointing loss to La Liga minnows Las Palmas just a few days earlier. It marked their 16th consecutive home victory across all competitions.

Griezmann's opening goal came in the sixth minute, his low shot finding the back of the net with the help of a deflection off Cameron Carter-Vickers. The Celtic side dominated possession early in the game, with Luis Palma showing glimpses of his skills.

However, everything changed when Celtic's Maeda received a red card for a high foot on Mario Hermoso, following VAR intervention. This was the third red card Celtic had received in the competition, and their captain, Callum McGregor, acknowledged the challenge, saying, "It's hard enough at this level with 11 men, that's two games we've had players sent off. (It was) a humbling experience for us."

From that point on, it was one-way traffic at the Metropolitano. Atletico doubled their lead just before halftime with Morata heading home, courtesy of a well-executed team move.

The second half saw Griezmann leaving the field early to a standing ovation after a spectacular acrobatic finish for Atletico's third goal. Lino added a superb fourth with a curling effort from the left, and Morata unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box for Atletico's fifth.

Saul put the icing on the cake in the closing stages, slotting home from close range after a deflection from Lino's attempt. Griezmann, who was operating in an attacking midfield role, expressed his willingness to adapt to the coach's instructions, saying, "I'm learning by watching a lot of football on television -- whatever it takes for the club and for Cholo (Simeone)."

Atletico's dominant performance not only secured a crucial win but also showcased their depth and adaptability on the field.

Atletico Madrid secures a convincing 6-0 victory over Celtic

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