Atletico produce another comeback to beat Feyenoord

Atletico Madrid’s Spanish forward #19 Alvaro Morata celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 2 group E football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Feyenoord at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on October 4, 2023. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Alvaro Morata hit a brace as Atletico Madrid twice came from behind to beat Feyenoord 3-2 and move top of Champions League Group E on Wednesday.

Spanish striker Morata has excelled this season, becoming a key figure for Diego Simeone’s side in attack, alongside Antoine Griezmann, who netted Atletico’s other goal.

The Rojiblancos were inconsistent but moments of quality from Morata and Griezmann proved the difference in an end-to-end clash at the Metropolitano.

Atletico, knocked out in the group stage last year, were left with a familiar sinking feeling at the end of their opening group game at Lazio after the opposition goalkeeper headed home in unlikely fashion to deny them victory at the death.

That disappointment increased the pressure on them to beat Feyenoord at home and take control of the group, with any other result likely to cause them big problems down the line.

Simeone was without several players because of injury but acknowledged beforehand what mattered was only the result, regardless of who was fit or not.

Feyenoord started brightly and took the lead after just seven minutes when Ayase Ueda’s shot, saved by Jan Oblak, ricocheted in off Atletico defender Mario Hermoso, who was sliding in to stop the initial effort.

Japan international Ueda was starting in the stead of Feyenoord’s suspended top scorer Santiago Gimenez.

Morata pulled Atletico back level with a smart finish at the near post after