Seven-goal thriller, Morata's hat-trick and Girona's stoppage-time winner! The craziest game of season and it's only January
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 04.01.24. | 01:32
The Catalans beat Atletico Madrid 4-3 in a stunning 3-3 derby that saw Alvaro Morata score a hat-trick
Super-exciting, sensational, breathtaking! Those are the proper words to describe a Wednesday night La Liga derby between league leaders Girona and Atletico Madrid which ended in a jaw-dropping 4-3 home win.
Although we're only a few days into January, it's fair to conclude this would be the match of the season. It provided us with everything football offers in the best possible way.
We witnessed five goals in the first half, magnificent Alvaro Morata performance, with the former Real Madrid and Juventus striker scoring a hat-trick and even one more rightfully disallowed due to an offside, and, finally - a stoppage time winner.
2’—Girona 1-0 Atlético (Valery)
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 3, 2024
14’—Girona 1-1 Atlético (Morata)
26’—Girona 2-1 Atlético (Savio)
39’—Girona 3-1 Atlético (Blind)
44’—Girona 3-2 Atlético (Morata)
45+1’—Morata hat trick goal called offside
The first half of Girona vs. Atlético was wild 😱 pic.twitter.com/RTQjDbYr1M
Once again, Girona proved they're an impeccable side, offensively oriented and determined to stay in the title race until the end. At one moment before the break, they were 3-1 up after Daley Blind's tap-in, and it seemed Atletico would join Barcelona on the list of their 'victims'.
Morata have already scored 20 goals this season and we're in January..#RealHooper pic.twitter.com/7fUrC495Bx
— ＊ (@jaraaxz) January 3, 2024
However, Cholo Simeone is not used to surrendering that easily, so his band of fighters found ways to bounce back. Firstly, Morata pegged one back before the interval to revive the suspense, and then the same player levelled the score ten minutes into the second half.
⚽️🇪🇸 GOAL | Girona 3-3 Atlético Madrid | Morata
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 3, 2024
HAT-TRICK FOR MORATA!!! WHAT A GAME!!!!!pic.twitter.com/4oY2TuicIY
From that moment on, the crazy tempo dropped a bit, but it was still anything but a dull ball game. The visitors kept pushing for the fourth (and the win), while the hosts focused on defending and trying their luck through patient build-ups and counter-attacks.
And then, all of a sudden, it happened in the first seconds of the stoppage time! Girona's Ivan Martin made a slalom through Atleti's defence before placing it smoothly into the far corner, past Oblak, for ecstatic celebration and a 4-3 win!
⚽️🇪🇸 GOAL | Girona 4-3 Atlético Madrid | Ivan Martin
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 3, 2024
GIRONA HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD!!!! WHAT A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/bA35dl5mSM
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 19
Tuesday
Getafe - Rayo Vallecano 0-2 (0-1)
/Camello 45+1, 47/
Real Sociedad - Alaves 1-1 (0-0)
/Zubimendi 90+6 - Rioja 76 pen/
Valencia - Villarreal 3-1 (2-0)
/Yaremchuk 4, Pepelu 27 pen, 57 pen - Moreno 73/
Wednesday
Granada - Cadiz 2-0 (1-0)
/Uzuni 22, Zaragoza 70/
Celta - Betis 2-1 (1-1)
/Iago Aspas 16 pen, Swedberg 90+6 - Ruibal 6/
Real Madrid - Mallorca 1-0 (0-0)
/Rudiger 77/
Girona - Atl. Madrid 4-3 (3-2)
/Fernandez 2, Savio 26, Blind 39, Martin 90+1 - Morata 14, 44, 54/
Thursday
19.00: (1.75) Osasuna (3.70) Almeria (5.40)
21.15: (3.20) Sevilla (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (2.35)
23.30: (6.00) Las Palmas (4.00) Barcelona (1.57)
***odds are subject to change***
