Atletico thrashes struggling Mallorca

Alvaro Morata scored twice to lead Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 win over Mallorca and extend its strong finish to La Liga.

Diego Simeone’s team (62 points) has long been out of the title race, which is being disputed by leader Real Madrid (74 points) and second-placed Barcelona (70 points). But Atletico, one of the hottest sides in the top-division league, is ticking down well before it shifts focus to the Champions League final eight to be played in Portugal next month.

When La Liga was halted in March, Atletico was struggling to secure a CL berth for next season. However, it is now well on course to finish third. It is to be noted that Atletico has remained undefeated in seven matches since the resumption of the Spanish league.

“We were in a complicated situation before the stoppage, but we have been playing well since we got back and have been playing with a great attitude,” said Morata. Simeone’s side dominated the relegation-threatened Mallorca from kick-off. Close to the half-hour mark, Morata earned a penalty when he was pulled down by Aleksandar Sedlar in the area.

Goalkeeper Manuel Reina blocked his strike, but a video review helped the referee order a redo of the spot-kick after Sedlar entered the area too early. Morata stepped back up and on a second try, rifled the ball into the top corner in the 29th minute. “Missing and then getting back up and trying again is a part of football,” Morata said about the penalty.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid striker was back on the scoreboard in first half injury. Midfielder Koke stole the ball and played Marcos Llorente clear to reach the end line, where he found Morata at the far post to tap home. The goals were Morata’s 10th and 11th of the season in league play.

Mallorca could not muster a comeback and left-back Renan Lodi hit the crossbar for Atletico before Koke scored in the 79th minute. His shot deflected off a defender to give Reina no chance to save. Following the result, Mallorca (29 points) was left five points from safety with four league games remaining in the season.

RESULT: La Liga: Atletico Madrid 3 beat Mallorca 0.