Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann snatched a late winner from the penalty spot in his team’s triumph over Real Sociedad (Pierre-Philippe MARCOU)
Antoine Griezmann converted a late penalty to snatch Atletico Madrid a controversial late 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday.
The Basque side were furious after they had a penalty appeal for handball turned down earlier in the game and then the referee awarded Atletico a spot-kick in the final stages after Carlos Fernandez inadvertently handled a Griezmann shot.
On the balance of play Atletico, fourth, were good value for their victory, which helped them cut the distance to leaders Real Madrid to five points.
Despite the decisions working in his team’s favour, Griezmann said the handball rule should be modified.
“In the end when the referee decides it’s going to be tricky, and it will be like this… they have to make a rule that if it hits the hand it’s a penalty, and if not there’s not, not the interpretation of the referee,” Griezmann told DAZN.
“Today he interpreted it in our favour and we won, on other occasions it will be different.
“Sometimes the referee is sure, and sometimes not, they have to make a rule … maybe the referee sleeps badly the night before and doesn’t feel like interpreting it well or badly.”
Samuel Lino put the hosts ahead at the Metropolitano in the 22nd minute when Koke sent him through on goal.
The Brazilian winger netted his first goal for the club, slotting home clinically at the near post.
Griezmann had two good chances to double Atletico’s lead, but volleyed wildly over and then slid in to divert a Rodrigo de Paul pass narrowly wide.
Midfielder De Paul struck the post with a curling effort near the end of the first half.
– Two handballs –
Imanol Alguacil’s La Real emerged stronger in the second half and Mikel Oyarzabal also hit the woodwork with a strike from the edge of the box.
Morata accidentally handled a soft Brais Mendez effort but after watching the incident back on the pitchside monitor, referee Jose Munuera decided not to award a penalty.
Spain international Oyarzabal pulled Real Sociedad back level when Fernandez played him in on goal, and he coolly stroked a low effort past Jan Oblak.
Griezmann grabbed the winner from the spot in the 89th minute after Fernandez accidentally blocked the Frenchman’s shot with his arm while lying on the floor.
Real Sociedad players pleaded with Munuera to watch the incident again but he instructed Griezmann to take the penalty, and the forward dispatched it superbly to earn Atletico the three points.
“The player is on the floor, back to play, lying down, not looking at the ball, not knowing where he is, it’s not a hand in the air, it’s by his side when he’s lying down,” said Real Sociedad captain Oyarzabal.
“We’re leaving here very angry.”
Earlier Las Palmas climbed into mid-table with an impressive 2-1 win at Villarreal, who are provisionally 16th.
Later Sunday champions Barcelona visit Granada, among other fixtures.
rbs/jc
