MY ACCOUNT
Joao Felix scored twice as Atletico Madrid beat Real Betis 3-1 at Estadio Benito Villamarin to climb above their opponents into fourth place in LaLiga.
Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Elche earlier on Sunday had knocked Betis down to fourth, and Atleti were out of the Champions League qualification berths entirely.
That increased the pressure on Diego Simeone’s men to pick up a third win in a row, and they went in front inside two minutes thanks to Joao Felix’s tap-in.
Betis substitute Cristian Tello equalised from the final kick of the first half, but Joao Felix netted another just after the hour mark and Thomas Lemar sealed the win for Atleti late on.
Joao Felix opened his account from close range with just 74 seconds on the clock – Atleti’s earliest league goal since July 2020 – after being picked out by Angel Correa.
The visitors wasted a big chance to add a second when Yannick Carrasco somehow failed to pick out either Joao Felix or Renan Lodi alongside him in a three-on-one attack.
Soon after Jose Maria Gimenez’s headed clearance ricocheted off Paul Akouokou and flew over the bar, Tello had Betis on level terms with a curling first-time shot from 20 yards.
Gimenez headed against the base of the post for Simeone’s side, who were having to adjust to losing Correa and Sime Vrsaljko to injury inside the opening half an hour.
Atleti restored their lead with 61 minutes on the clock through another simple finish for Joao Felix, this time after being teed up by Marcos Llorente.
Copa del Rey finalists Betis pushed for a leveller, but tiredness crept in and Antoine Griezmann pulled the ball back for Lemar to seal three vital points for Atletico in the 80th minute.
What does it mean? Three in a row for Atletico
Atleti have little hope of defending their title given the 15-point deficit to leaders Real Madrid, meaning all focus now is on outlasting the chasing pack to finish in the top four.
Simeone’s side finally have a little momentum on their side thanks to this well-earned victory – their third in a row in LaLiga, something they had yet to achieve this campaign.
This result also means Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini is winless in eight LaLiga managerial meetings with Simeone – only against Pep Guardiola (also eight games) has he fared as badly.
Joao Felix at the double
Portugal international Joao Felix has stepped up for Atletico in the past few weeks, the forward scoring four goals in his last four games with this double against Betis.
He has scored two or more goals in five games for Los Colchoneros, though this is the first such occasion he has managed that since November 2020 against Cadiz.
Suarez plays back-up
Luis Suarez, likened to Atleti great Fernando Torres by Simeone this week amid links with a move away, watched on from the bench until eight minutes from time when his side were out of reach.
The Uruguay international had previously scored 11 goals in nine league meetings with Betis – only against Eibar (12) does he have more in LaLiga – but he managed just four touches here, which did not include a shot.
What’s next?
Betis host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Wednesday, while Atleti are at home to Cadiz in their next league outing on Friday.
