Madrid (STATS Perform/dpa) – Atletico Madrid made it two wins from two to start their La Liga title defence as they beat Elche 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday.
A stylish first-half finish from Angel Correa was all that separated the sides in a game of few clear-cut chances in the Spanish capital.
With temperatures still pushing 35 degrees Celsius in the second half, it was a relatively sedate contest, albeit one lit up by the display of new Atleti signing Rodrigo de Paul during the first hour.
It was the Argentina international’s pass that led to the only goal via an error from Kiko Casilla and he could have had a second assist after the break had Yannick Carrasco been more clinical.
Atleti mustered little more than speculative efforts from Saul Niguez and Thomas Lemar in the opening half-hour, as the champions allowed Elche more of the ball but denied them any real openings.
The visitors ultimately gifted Atleti the lead 39 minutes in. Casilla raced off his line to clear De Paul’s clever throughball and missed, allowing Correa to take his time before burying his fourth goal in three LaLiga games.
It was almost 2-0 a minute after half-time, Jose Gimenez’s powerful header from a corner beaten away by Casilla, and Carrasco could not beat the Elche keeper after being picked out by De Paul.
Elche continued to have more of the ball, but Jan Oblak had largely hopeful shots from outside the box to deal with, while home substitute Luis Suarez could have done better from a Carrasco cut-back.
Suarez was booked for lashing the ball away after a tight offside call, but there was little to worry the home fans in the closing minutes.