Atlético de Madrid finally snapped a streak of four straight away defeats by edging Granada 0-1 at Nuevo Los Cármenes, a result that keeps them comfortably away from the relegation zone and within reach of mid-table security in a midweek La Liga clash.
Álvaro Morata opened the scoring in the 54th minute, sending a precise finish past the Granada goalkeeper after a well-worked move started by Antoine Griezmann. The visitors were rewarded for a more disciplined performance, showing greater cohesion in the second half after a less fluid opening period that saw Granada probe with intent before settling into a compact shape that frustrated the execution of Atlético’s passing game.
Granada started the match with intent, pressing higher and seeking to unsettle the visitors in the opening minutes. One early opportunity for Lucas Boyé nearly altered the script, but the effort drifted wide and was quickly dismissed as a momentary warning rather than a turning point.
As the minutes passed, Atlético Madrid settled into a possession game, yet their ball circulation lacked pace and zip, while Granada maintained solid structure and disciplined gaps. The first clear chance for Atlético arrived with Rodrigo Riquelme weaving through the defense, only for Augusto Batalla to stand firm in goal and deny the onrushing attackers. A follow-up strike from Griezmann struck the crossbar, the ruling on an earlier phase shadowed by Marcos Llorente’s absence, which had a visible impact on the team’s forward movement.
Morata came closest to doubling the lead with a headed effort before the break, while Gerard Gumbau answered with a long-range shot that tested the goalkeeper but failed to alter the scoreline. The pause did Atlético little favors, yet the mood shifted after the restart as the visitors hit the accelerator and pressed higher with renewed energy.
The second half began with Atlético showing sharper tenacity, a better tempo, and more direct intent. Samuel Lino and Rodrigo De Paul, both introduced at various stages, injected speed and determination, helping Atlético control the game’s rhythm in the opening minutes after the break.
The breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute when Griezmann delivered a pinpoint cross from which Morata converted, making it 0-1. The decision initially drew controversy in the VAR review, with questions over an apparent offside and the sequence of checks, but the on-pitch decision eventually stood as the goal counted.
A moment of tension followed, with Lino threatening on the counter and Batalla again coming to Granada’s rescue in the ensuing action. Saúl Ñíguez later had a potential goal chalked off due to a marginal offside call, keeping the home team’s hopes in check and maintaining Atlético’s slender advantage.
Granada sought to push for an equalizer, but Atlético defended resolutely. Jan Oblak, rarely tested in the second period, had to be alert only occasionally as the match unfolded with few high-stakes opportunities at either end. A late move from Granada created drama as Bruno Méndez struck a shot that Oblak diverted, and the game moved toward a tense finish with Atlético clinging to the lead.
Griezmann later earned a late penalty opportunity that hit the post, signaling another close call and underscoring Atlético’s ability to capitalize on key moments. The match, which formed part of the 21st round of La Liga, finished with Atlético celebrating a valuable victory that steadied their campaign in a tightly contested table race.
In the closing minutes, Atlético’s defense secured the result, and the visitors’ counter-attacks found little traction against a Granada side that remained determined but unable to breach the goalkeeper’s line after Morata’s decisive strike. The match’s intensity and strategic battles offered a clear demonstration of Atlético de Madrid’s pragmatic approach when confronted with a disciplined, home-team lineup that tested their resolve at every turn.
Data sheet:
0 – Granada: Ricard (Antonio Puertas, m.85), Bruno Méndez, Ignasi Miquel, Carlos Neva; Sergio Ruiz, Gumbau (Melendo, m.80), Gonzalo Villar; Bryan (Callejón, m.80), Uzuni (Matías Arezo, m.67) and Lucas Boyé
1 – Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Savic, Witsel, Hermoso, Riquelme (Lino, m.46); Barrios (Giménez, m.80), Llorente (De Paul, m.46), Saúl (Koke, m.75); Griezmann and Morata (Correa, m.75).
Aim: 0-1, (d.54) Morata.
Judge: Martínez Munuera (C. Valenciano). The local team showed yellow cards to Lucas Boyé (m.75) and the visiting team to Saúl (m.72) and Savic (m.75).
Events: The match, which coincided with the 21st matchday of La Liga, was played in front of 18,704 spectators at the Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium.