Griezmann and Morata lead Atletico to 6-0 rout of 10-man Celtic in Champions League
Tue, Nov 7, 2023
Soccer News (AP)
MADRID (AP) - Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata have come through for Atletico Madrid again. They scored two goals each in a 6-0 rout of 10-man Celtic leaving Atletico top of Group E in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The home victory left Atletico with eight points from four matches, one point ahead of Lazio and two in front of Feyenoord. Winless Celtic stayed last with one point. Lazio beat Feyenoord 1-0 at home in the other group match.
Celtic played a man down after forward Daizen Maeda was sent off with a straight red card for a hard foul in the 23rd minute. The Japan international was initially shown a yellow card but video review determined he deserved a red.
Griezmann and Morata had scored a goal each in the teams' 2-2 draw in Scotland in the previous round of matches. They have combined for 20 goals in the last 10 Atletico matches in all competitions.
Griezmann has 11 goals this season - seven in the Spanish league and four in the Champions League. Morata has 12 goals - seven league and five Champions League.
Griezmann opened the scoring six minutes into the match at Metropolitano stadium, firing a low left-footed shot from just outside the area.
Morata added the second in first-half stoppage time from close range in a buildup that started with a long cross by Griezmann, who scored the third with a volley from near the penalty spot in the 60th.
Samuel Lino added to the lead in the 66th, two minutes after coming off the bench, with a curling right-footed strike into the far corner. And 10 minutes later he set up Morata with a pass with his chest for the striker's goal with a shot from outside the area.
Saul Niguez closed the scoring from close range in the 84th.
Celtic was trying to end a run of 11 games without a win in European competitions, with two draws and nine losses.
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