Atletico Madrid beat Cadiz 2-1 for their fourth consecutive league win in La Liga at Wanda Metropolitano to climb to third place in the standings and solidify their top 4 hopes.
A surging Joao Felix was once again the key factor for Atletico as he opened the scoring in just the third minute following an error from Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma who gifted the ball to the Portuguese forward to slot home.
Felix has five goals in his last five games in all competitions and has been instrumental in reviving Atletico’s title hopes after a poor start to the season.
The team from Madrid was pegged back by Alvaro Negredo’s headed equalizer for Cadiz from a counter-attack just before halftime. However, the defending champions took the lead once again in the 68th minute with Rodrigo de Paul scoring from a rebound.
Atletico ended the game with 10-men after substitute Javi Serrano was shown a straight red card after a violent challenge. They had an earlier red card shown to Reinildo Mandava at the end of the first half, but VAR changed the call to only a booking.
Cadiz fought for an equalizer until the end and almost scored to draw the game when Luis Hernandez was cleared off the line by Jose Maria Gimenez.
Atletico Madrid will now travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Manchester United with the score tied at 1-1.
