Atlético defeats Elche to end winless run in Spanish league

The World Cup break did some good for Atleacutetico MadridAtleacutetico ended a threegame winless streak in the Spanish league with a 20 victory over lastplace Elche on Thursday in its first match back after the World Cup stoppageJoatildeo Feacutelix and Aacutelvaro Morata scored secondhalf goals for Atleacutetico which moved back into the Champions League places with the victory at the Metropolitano stadiumThe team had a great attitude Atleacutetico coach Diego Simeone said It was a very good match We have to keep working to keep improving going forwardAtleacutetico went into the World Cup break with a victory against fifthtier Almazaacuten in the first round of the Copa del Rey but Simeones team had not won in five straight matches in all competitions before that including two in a row in the group stage of the Champions League which left it without a place in any European competition for the rest of the seasonAtleacutetico had also beaten fourthtier Arenteiro in the second round of the Copa del Rey after the World CupFeacutelix opened the scoring with a header in the 56th minute and Morata added to the lead in the 74th with a shot that bounced off a defender and over the goalkeeperAlso readCristiano Ronaldo resumes training at Real Madrid amidst search for new clubMorata went to the ground after the shot and only found out he was the one who scored while celebrating with his teammatesI thought it was Antoine Griezmann who had scored off the rebound he said I was on the ground had no ideaMorata was with Spain at the World Cup and Feacutelix was with Portugal Their Argentina teammates at Atleacutetico Aacutengel Correa Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul were honored before the match against Elche for their world title in Qatar None of them played as they rejoined the group latePablo Barrios 19 made his debut as a starter for AtleacuteticoBoth teams played with 10 men as Elche saw Gonzalo Verduacute sent off just before halftime and Atleacuteticos Mario Hermoso was redcarded in the 53rd Elche also lost Domingos Quina with a red card in the 90thElche debuting coach Pablo Machiacuten remained the only winless club after 15 league matchesOTHER RESULTSFifthplace Athletic Bilbao drew 00 at sixthplace Real Betis while Girona drew 22 with visiting Rayo VallecanoLeader Barcelona hosts city rival Espanyol on Saturday Secondplace Real Madrid two points behind the Catalan club visits Real Valladolid on FridayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever