Antoine Griezmann scores as Atlético Madrid defeats Valencia

By George Ramsay, CNN

Updated 0957 GMT (1757 HKT) August 30, 2022

Griezmann celebrates his second-half goal against Valencia.

(CNN)Atlético Madrid recorded a second win of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Valencia at the Mestalla.

Substitute Antoine Griezmann scored the game's only goal midway through the second half when his deflected shot bobbled past Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco both had chances to extend Atlético's lead late in the game, but their efforts were well saved by Mamardashvili. The result leaves Atleti sixth in La Liga, three points behind leader Real Madrid having suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Villarreal in the second round of games. Karim Benzema scores late brace to hand Real Madrid thrilling win as Espanyol forced to play defender in goalAn eventful first half saw several VAR interventions — first when Valencia's American midfielder Yunus Musah had a goal ruled out following a foul on Joao Félix in the buildup, then when a red card for Thierry Correia was downgraded to a yellow. Read MoreAtlético also had chances in the first half when Valencia gave away the ball at the back, but Álvaro Morata and Félix both saw their shots saved by Mamardashvili. The arrival of Griezmann and Thomas Lemar in the second half, however, swung the game in Atlético's favor, and it was Lemar's surging run and pass that set up the winning goal. Valencia is now 14th in La Liga having not won since its opening game of the season against Girona, but Gennaro Gattuso's side will be bolstered by the arrival of Edinson Cavani, who watched on from the stands during Monday's defeat. Cavani waves to fans at the Mestalla. The Uruguayan international joins Valencia until