Fresh from netting a stoppage-time equaliser against Sevilla, Valencia striker Hugo Duro would have been disappointed to lift a promising early chance onto the frame of Jan Oblak’s goal.
After surviving that early scare, Atleti went on the offensive with Alexander Sorloth, who forced Julen Agirrezabala into action.
Instead, it would be Koke who broke the deadlock at the Metropolitano, as the Atletico skipper slotted a composed finish in at the near post, after he pounced onto a rebound via Agirrezabala’s desperate save from Matteo Ruggeri.
Despite conceding the opening goal for the sixth time in eight away league games, Valencia showed great character, and they fought to trouble the Atleti backline before they eventually found the net through Pepelu in the 35th minute.
However, their efforts proved to be in vain, as a VAR check confirmed Duro had taken up an offside position in the build-up, ensuring the hosts took a lead into half-time of a home LaLiga match for just the third time this season.
Undeterred by that disallowed goal, Los Che finally grabbed a deserved equaliser through Lucas Beltran just past the hour mark.
The substitute neatly linked up with Andre Almeida and showcased his quick footwork to move away from Thiago Almada before he rifled a fierce strike out of Oblak’s reach.
Surprisingly, though, Beltran’s first LaLiga goal proved to be the best thing that happened to Atleti in the contest because it acted as a much-needed source of motivation to show greater intent in the final third.
As a result, it was only a matter of time until veteran attacker Griezmann restored the home side’s advantage, controlling a lofted pass with ease before lashing a left-foot shot past Agirrezabala.
Sorloth then saw a late effort chalked off for offside, but crucially for the fourth-placed side, they professionally saw out the closing stages to bounce back from consecutive defeats and leave Valencia just a point clear of the drop zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Koke (Atletico Madrid)
