Diego Simeone’s side came away with a dogged 2-0 win over La Liga’s bottom side, Elche, to move up to third in the table.
Elche made life difficult for Atletico in the first half, although that call changed when Gonzalo Verdu was sent off just before halftime.
Atletico had a man sent off themselves eight minutes after the restart in Mario Hermoso, but Joao Felix opened the scoring shortly after.
Morata wrapped up the three points in the 74th minute. It took him a few seconds to realise what he’d actually done, however.
The 30-year-old received the ball from Antoine Griezmann but was forced out wide by the defender. He brilliantly dinked the ball through the full-back’s leg to leave him in the dust and advance into the box.
With two additional Elche players in his way, Morata took a shot which deflected off one of the defenders.
Rather than go out of play, it looped high into the air and over the head of goalkeeper Edgar Badia as Morata hit the turf with a foot injury.
Bit of a delayed celebration from Morata… 👀
But what a goal that was!! 🙌#LaLigaTV pic.twitter.com/QJq5QnPwq4
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) December 29, 2022
Atletico players celebrated doubling their lead while Morata was down on the ground. After getting back to his feet, Morata jumped into Griezmann’s arms believing he’d turned the ball home.
Griezman and Sergio Reguilon then told the former Chelsea man the goal was actually his.
Reguilon even moved his arm in the manner the ball drooped into the net. One of the strangest goals he’s likely to score in his career.
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