Atletico Madrid move above Real Madrid, into second on Koke goal

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:09 am
Koke's goal helped jump Atletico Madrid into second place in La Liga.
Cristina Quicler/AFP/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid move up to second in the Primera Division after recording a narrow yet deserved 1-0 victory at Real Betis.

Koke's seventh-minute goal proved enough for Diego Simeone's side to take all three points from their trip to the Benito Villamarin stadium, though the visitors wasted several opportunities to put the game to bed.

The win sees the Rojiblancos leapfrog rivals Real Madrid in the table, with the 2013-14 champions now sitting four points behind leaders Barcelona, while Betis remain in 12th.

Atletico's goal came about due to smart pressing between Koke and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, who combined to dispossess Xavi Torres and send the ball into the path of Fernando Torres. The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker shot first time at goalkeeper Antonio Adan and Koke followed up to nudge home the rebound.

Ferreira Carrasco was denied in a one-on-one with Adan later in the first half while in the second Antoine Griezmann missed a gilt-edged chance and then struck the far post.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak only had to make one real save during the game, keeping out a long-range shot from Alvaro Cejudo.

But the Slovenia international almost got himself and his team in hot water in stoppage time when he leaped to catch a cross and collided with Betis forward Jorge Molina, failing to gather the ball, but to his relief it rolled out for a goal-kick.