Atletico breeze past Valencia to move to third

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Antoine Griezmann sets up Atletico Madrid's opening goal with a great pass

Antoine Griezmann finds Samuel Lino over the top with a perfect pass as Atletico Madrid take a 1-0 lead.

Updated: Jan 28, 2024, 10:42 pm

Samuel Lino and Memphis Depay scored a goal in each half to give Atletico Madrid a comfortable 2-0 home win over Valencia on Sunday which moved Diego Simeone's side to third in the LaLiga standings.

Atletico could have won by a larger margin if it wasn't for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who excelled for the visitors, keeping the game level until five minutes into first-half stoppage time when Lino scored with a low shot.

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The hosts kept dominating in the second half and extended their lead in the 57th minute with a diving header by Depay from a Nahuel Molina cross.

With the win, Atletico moved to third in the standings on 44 points, level with Barcelona but ahead on goal difference.

Real Madrid are second on 54 points, one behind surprise leaders Girona, who have played one game more than their nearest rivals.

Atletico will face Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, the same day that Barca play Osasuna. Madrid take on Getafe on Thursday.

"It's very important to have scored the goal that opened the game and started the victory," Lino told DAZN.

"However, the most important thing was the victory. We are not thinking about the title, we keep it game by game. Doing our job.

"Now we have Rayo at home and we'll see what happens in the end of the season. Our focus is match by match and starts with beating Rayo."