Gilas Valencia 3-1, Atletico Continue A Series Of Victories

JAKARTA - Atletico Madrid continued their winning streak to seven consecutive matches after smothering Valencia 3-1 in the 20th week of the Spanish League at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain, Sunday local time (Monday WIB).

The persistence of Diego Simeone's team was evident in that match, because despite being left behind due to Uros Racic's goal, Atletico got up to win through goals from Joao Felix, Luis Suarez and Angel Correa.

The victory restores the seven-point advantage that Atletico have at the top of the standings armed with 47 points, while Valencia is stuck in 14th place with 20 points, Antara notes on the official Spanish League website.

Atletico got off to a good start with a chance from Felix, but it was Valencia who stole the lead in the 11th minute when Racic curled a shot that goalkeeper Jan Oblak couldn't reach.

The goal had threatened Atletico's record absence in their previous nine home games against Valencia, but in the 23rd minute Felix was able to assuage those concerns when he met Thomas Lemar's brilliant corner.

Referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea had consulted with VAR over the alleged foul by Luis Suarez against Carlos Soler before finally conceding the goal.

The score lasted until halftime and Atletico started the second half well and was able to take the lead nine minutes after the second half continued through Suarez's goal.

Starting from Felix's pass, Suarez then rushed into the penalty box before calmly firing from a tight angle to outwit goalkeeper Jaume Domenech and change the position to 2-1 for Atletico.

Atletico had the chance to double their lead in the 67th minute after Lemar snatched the ball from Racic's possession and threw it through Marcos Llorente's first-touch shot. But unfortunately the ball still soared over the crossbar.

Luckily five minutes later, Llorente took a better chance when he pushed his way into the box and fired a lure that was easily completed by a flick by Correa in front of goal to give Atletico a 3-1 lead.

You = happy? https://t.co/ACvrCnaL57

- Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 24, 2021

The two-goal advantage made Atletico calmer in building attacks, unfortunately Correa's shot three minutes before the dispersal was still able to be countered by Domenech and the 3-1 score did not change until the game was over.

Atletico will next visit the headquarters of promoted Cadiz on Sunday, January 31, the day after Valencia entertain Elche at the Mestalla.

However, on Wednesday, January 27, Valencia will first play their Copa del Rey last 16 match at home to Sevilla.