La Liga: Atletico Madrid vs. Elche 2-0

Joao Félix and Álvaro Morata for Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 home win over Elche as the 10-man side moved up to third in La Liga on Thursday

There were three red cards in the contest, with Elche captain Gonzalo Verdu dismissed late in the first half before Mario Hermoso was sent off for the hosts early in the second.

Atletico have 27 points from 15 games, 10 points behind leaders Barcelona and eight behind Real Madrid, having played a game more than their two rivals. Bottoms Elche have four points and are eight behind the safety zone.

After a three-game winless streak ahead of the mid-season World Cup break checked their momentum, Diego Simeone’s side will be relieved to get back to winning ways.

Chances were few and far between for Atletico in the first half, and it was telling that even Verdu’s VAR-assisted dismissal for an off-the-ball foul on Morata just before the break did little to lift them.

Their man advantage was temporary too, with Hermoso handed his marching orders after back-to-back bookings, the second for a reckless foul on Helibelton Palacios after the interval.

Atlético struggled to control the game and create clear-cut chances in the first half before Elche defender Gonzalu Verdu was red-carded a minute into the first half for a foul on Morata outside the penalty area.

Atlético defender Mario Hermoso was given his marching orders in the 53rd minute at the Estadio Metropolitano after picking up two yellow cards for fouls in three minutes.

Morata took the lead in the 74th minute with a shot that went over goalkeeper Edgar Badia.

Elche were reduced to nine men after 90 when Domingos Quina received a second yellow card for a foul on Morata.

Key Events:

•         Atletico Madrid returns to La Liga, defeating Elche 2-0

•         Arsenal youngster João Félix opened the scoring ten minutes after the break

•         Álvaro Morata scored the second on fifteen minutes and sealed the three points

•         The visitors expelled Gonzalo Verdu and Domingos Quina from Elche

•         Atlético were also reduced to ten men after Mario Hermoso’s two yellow cards

Lineups:

Atlético Madrid Substitutes: Grbic, Gomis, Sergio Diez, Felipe, Reguilón, Reinildo, Gismera, Carlos Martín, Koke, Lemar, Saúl, Correa

Elche Substitutes: Werner, Navarro, Roco, Domingos Quina, Fidel, Cocca, Collado, Alfaro, Soler, Tete Morente, Ponce

Scorers:

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Match Stats: