Atletico beats Girona to stay in striking distance of Barca

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann scored late goals to give Atletico Madrid a 2-0 victory over Girona on Tuesday, keeping the hosts in striking distance of Spanish league leader Barcelona before their clash in the next round.

Second-place Atletico is seven points behind Barcelona before the pacesetters visit Villarreal later on Tuesday. The two top teams in La Liga then meet on Saturday at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

Godin finally broke through in the 76th minute by heading in a ball that was punched away by goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz but fell to him all alone in front of the open net. Godin was initially ruled offside by the referee, but a video review overruled that decision.

Griezmann added a second goal deep in stoppage time with Girona throwing everyone forward in search of an equalizer. He chipped Iraizoz to finish off a one-on-one breakaway and end his seven-match scoring drought.

Atletico had struggled to threaten Girona’s goal until Godin came through. The Uruguay center back’s contract runs out at the end of this season, and Spanish media have linked him with a move away from Atletico after nine trophy-filled campaigns.