Girona's Sensational 4-3 Win Over Atletico Madrid Despite Morata's Hat Trick

 Girona's Sensational 4-3 Win Over Atletico Madrid Despite Morata's Hat Trick

Ivan Martin of Girona FC celebrates after his teammate Valery Fernandez (not pictured) scored their team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Atletico de Madrid at Montilivi Stadium on January 03, 2024 in Girona, Spain.(Image-Getty)

Girona 4: 3 Atletico Madrid

Once 1-0, another time 3-1, Girona advanced. But Alvaro Morata equalized for Atletico Madrid in both periods. Did a hat trick.

However, after almost six and a half years, Morata could not leave the field with a victory even after scoring a hat trick. Girona won the match 4-3 with a goal in added time.

Girona beat Atletico for the first time in La Liga at the seventh attempt. And for the first time in the Diego Simeone era, Atletico Madrid have lost four consecutive away matches in the league.

Girona took the lead in the second minute of the thrilling 7-goal match. Spanish fullback Valeri Fernandez scored the first goal for the team that kept Real Madrid under pressure in the title race. Morata paid it back in 14 minutes. Girona went ahead for the second time in the 26th minute. The hero of this goal is the 19-year-old Brazilian forward Savio. Dutch midfielder Dele Blind made it 3-1 for Girona in the 39th minute.

Morata did not delay to reduce the gap as if the match was not about Girona's one-sided power. He scored Atletico's second goal in the 44th minute before the break. Morata's first two goals were almost identical. An angled shot from the left inside the box eluded the goalkeeper and sent it into the net.

Back in the second half, in the 54th minute, Morata scored a 3-3 equalizer. This is his third hat-trick in Europe's top five leagues. He previously scored for Real Madrid in La Liga against Leganes in April 2017 and for Chelsea against Stoke City in the English Premier League in September of the same year.

However, Morata could not leave the field with relief on the night of the hat-trick after a long time. As the match was headed for a tie, Girona's Ivan Martin fired the ball into Atletico's net in the 91st minute.

Girona holds the second place with 48 points from 19 matches and 15 wins and 3 draws. Real Madrid are equal on points in the tie, but Carlo Ancelotti's side are ahead on goal difference.

Atlético Madrid is third with 38 points from 12 wins and 2 draws in 19 matches.