Atletico Madrid news: Angel Correa score wonder goal as Diego Simeone's side settle for 2-2 draw with Villarreal

Angel Correa scored a wonder goal from 50-yards out as Atletico Madrid played out a 2-2 draw against Villarreal in the La Liga fixture at El Madrigal on Sunday. Pau Torres canceled out Correa’s opener and both sides went into the break with the score at 1-1.  After the restart, Alberto Moreno put Villarreal in front before Geoffrey Kondogbia equalized for Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile Villarreal’s Gerrard Moreno missed a penalty when Atletico were in front. Late in the game. Kondogbia was sent off for a second yellow card.

⏱ 90′ + 3′ | Villarreal 2⃣-2⃣ Atleti

Reparto de puntos en Villarreal.

• #AúpaAtleti • #VillarrealAtleti • pic.twitter.com/VkdW0nXvyH

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) January 9, 2022

Inside the opening 10 minutes, Correa intercepted a pass from Dani Parejo in the centre circle and unleashed a stunning shot over Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and into the net. It was the Argentine striker’s seventh goal of the campaign.

“I know Rulli well and I know he has this way of standing a long way out of his goal,” Correa said afterwards. “I thought I’d have a go and it came off pretty well.”

“It’s an incredible goal, it could be goal of the season,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.”

In response, Moreno’s effort from inside the box hit the woodwork before Rulli made a brilliant save to deny Matheus Cunha from a one-on-one situation. 

Villarreal were awarded a penalty after Thomas Lemar blocked Alberto Moreno’s shot with his arm inside the box. But the hosts couldn’t capitalise on it as Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak denied Gerrard Moreno from the penalty spot.  

However, Villarreal equalized a minute before the half-hour mark. Oblak spilled Parejo’s free-kick and Torres pounced on the chance to slot home from six yards out. In the 58th minute, Gerrard Moreno released Alberto through on goal and the latter made no mistake as he fired the ball past Oblak to give the lead to Villarreal.

After falling behind, Simeone made three changes as he brought in Joao Felix, Koke and Sime Vrsaljko and shifted Yannick Carrsaco to the left flank. Carrasco was involved in Atletico’s equalizer as he delivered a cross for Correa inside the box. The Argentina international’s shot was blocked by Rulli but the rebound was fired home by  Kondogbia from the edge of the penalty area.

The team competed well: Unai Emery

Atletico looked the stronger side after the goal as Carrasco set up Lemar inside the box, but the Frenchman’s shot deflected off Torres and went over the crossbar. Atletico finished the match with 10-man as Kondongbia received his second yellow card for a foul on Yeremy Pino.

The draw left Atletico at fourth spot with 33 points, 16 behind leaders Real Madrid, from 21 games. While Villarreal are at the ninth place with 29 points from 20 games.Villarreal boss Unai Emery said after the match: “We put in a good performance, we controlled the game against the current LaLiga champions. It was a challenge, to try and cut the distance between us, while sticking to our ideas and showing off our individual capabilities.

“The team competed well and wanted to take a step forward against a strong opponent. We need to feel satisfied and continued. We spoke about winning, and if we couldn’t do that, then drawing.”

The Spanish tactician added “The team responded well and executed the plan, with the players convinced of it too. We need to be capable of showing a more demanding competitive mentality and increase our focus.”