Sorloth hat-trick guides Atletico to 4-0 win at Girona
Striker Alexander Sorloth came off the bench to score a hat-trick in the second half and help Atletico Madrid wrap up their underwhelming season with an easy 4-0 win at lowly Girona on Sunday.
With Barcelona having secured the title, there was not much to play for at a half-empty Montilivi stadium where two depleted squads squared up in a game that will not live long in the memory.
Atleti manager Diego Simeone decided to leave several key starters on the bench, including goalkeeper Jan Oblak who with 30 goals conceded in 36 games, finished the season with the lowest goals-to-games ratio for the fifth time in his career.
Atletico dominated possession but it took them 68 minutes to break the deadlock through Sorloth's close-range strike after Girona made a bad mistake and Rodrigo De Paul set up the Norwegian to tap the ball into an empty net.
Defender Clement Lenglet headed in a rebound in the 87th minute before Sorloth took advantage of two quick counters to score twice in added time.
In the final weekend of the season, Barca, who host Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday, top the standings with 85 points, one point ahead Real Madrid, with Atletico finishing their LaLiga campaign in third place on 76 points.
Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal complete the top five line-up of teams who will represent Spain in next season's Champions League.
Girona, who last season were the surprise packages of LaLiga, ended 16th in the standings on 41 points, one clear of the relegation spots.
"We played a good game, which will be useful for the Club World Cup in the US that starts in less than an month because we will play many afternoon games under this same heat. Sorloth is a machine and he doesn't need many chances to score," Atletico defender Axel Witsel told Movistar Plus.
Atletico are in a tough Group B at the new-look 32-team tournament starting next month, along with Champions League finalists Paris St Germain, South American champions Botafogo and MLS side Seattle Sounders.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
11 hours ago
- CNA
Exclusive-Guardiola dreams of World Cup glory but has no plans to leave City anytime soon
BARCELONA -Pep Guardiola has no plans to leave Manchester City anytime soon but the Spaniard has often thought about what it would be like to guide an international team and says he would love to take on the challenge of a World Cup or Euros campaign. "I would love to be in a World Cup, in a Euro, a Copa America,' Guardiola told Reuters in an exclusive interview. 'I have always thought about it. But it depends on many, many things. If it happens, it's fine. If it doesn't happen, it's more than fine as well." After winning 12 domestic top-flight titles across Spain, Germany and England, Guardiola endured a trophyless campaign with City last season, a shock to the system after so much success. While he came in for some stinging criticism over his elite squad's failure on all fronts, Guardiola said he was not interested in "proving the haters wrong' when City start afresh next season. "It's to prove myself that I can do it, I don't want to have those feeling that last season left' he added. "Because when we win, the wine tastes better afterwards, you sleep better. I don't know a manager who loses games and sleeps like a baby. It doesn't happen. You've got to worry. That's part of our life." Top of Guardiola's 'to-do list' is to win another Champions League with City and should they cross paths once more with Real Madrid, his nemesis Carlo Ancelotti will not be in the opposing dugout after the Italian took charge of Brazil. Mere mention of Ancelotti's departure was enough to put a smile on Guardiola's lips. The pair faced each other five times in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, with the Italian coming out on top in all but one. "I'm so happy for him,' Guardiola said. "But I'm so happy that he's not in Madrid anymore because all the time he beats me. That I don't have to handle it anymore." The Spaniard added that it was unrealistic to expect him to win everything every year, and said that even the most successful athletes lose more than they win. "I won 12 domestic leagues in 16 years. It's not bad, I would say. But you cannot win all the time. I cannot win the Champions League all the time," he added. "Michael Jordan, the best athlete I've ever seen in my life won six NBA Championships in 15 years. Tiger Woods, one incredible golf player, Jack Nicklaus, I don't know how many he has. But they lost more Grand Slams than they won. It happens." Enjoying a short holiday in Barcelona, Guardiola said he is just trying to live a "normal life" before football pulls him back in, with City set to play in the revamped Club World Cup in the United States from June 14 to July 13. 'Wake up later and don't be with the players. Try to live what would be a normal life,' Guardiola said. 'Go to a concert, lay down on the sofa, read books. I can play golf when my body allows me. Watch series that people suggest to me during the season to watch, like I'm not able to do. "And I want to tell you something. Usually, I'm going to do the same things as you do in your life.'
CNA
15 hours ago
- CNA
Toney never feared Saudi switch would end England recall chances
Ivan Toney said he never had any doubts about his chances of an England recall following his move to the Saudi Pro League after the free-scoring Al-Ahli striker returned to the squad ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. The 29-year-old, who last featured for England in their 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final last July, was banned for eight months in 2023 for breaching the FA's rules on betting. He moved to Al-Ahli from Premier League club Brentford last August and has scored 30 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions for the Saudi side. The forward gave an emphatic "No" when asked at a training camp in Girona on Wednesday if he thought moving to Saudi Arabia may affect his England chances. "You see with me I think if you're just doing the right thing, playing football, playing well and scoring goals – a striker's job, that's what you're in a team to do – it doesn't matter where you play in the world, I feel like you should still get the chance," he told British media. "I think it's been proven me being me being back here and being back amongst the boys. It feels good to see the faces again and it feels good to get stuck in." Only Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals - 25 - in the Saudi top-flight in the 2024-25 season than Toney, who notched 23, more than former Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema (21) and ex-Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (19). "I feel like I'm in good form. As you see, I'm here, I'm still scoring goals," said Toney, who has been capped six times for England. "So, hopefully I can keep doing that and be in the mix for the World Cup." After playing Andorra in Spain on Saturday England host Senegal in a friendly on June 10.
Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Straits Times
Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius Jr, says Carlo Ancelotti
New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti during a training session ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. PHOTO: REUTERS Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius Jr, says Carlo Ancelotti SAO PAULO – Brazil must help Vinicius Jr rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on June 4. Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two La Liga crowns, said that the player's unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset. 'I don't know if he's been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid,' he said ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on June 5 (June 6, Singapore time) – his first match in charge of the national team. 'For us, he's a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here.' Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, he has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real. Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team. 'I don't want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it's 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,' the Italian said. 'Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment.' He did not reveal his starting line-up for his debut as coach, but he did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team. 'He's got a special talent... he's got character, he's a good person, he's humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful. He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team,' Ancelotti said. Brazil are fourth in the standings for the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup. They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, said he had yet to decide whether captain Lionel Messi would start in their next qualifier against Chile, as he continues to closely monitor the 37-year-old's fitness. With their place at the Finals already secured, Argentina travel to face bottom-placed Chile on June 5 without several regulars and with Messi's role uncertain. 'We've been in contact (with Messi) recently. We haven't decided yet whether he'll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he's feeling physically,' Scaloni said. 'In principle, he's available to play, and we'll decide later.' With a number of key players sidelined by injury or suspension, Scaloni called it a chance to test new talent ahead of their World Cup title defence next summer. 'We're going to have a lot of players out. If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they'll get their chance,' he said. 'I don't have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven't played much and who we believe are ready to play. 'Although the result is always important, we don't think it's crucial today. We'll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team.' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
