Overview
- Koke struck from distance to open the scoring, registering his 50th goal for Atletico.
- Conor Gallagher doubled the lead with a shot that deflected off Vitor Reis before Antoine Griezmann sealed the result in stoppage time.
- Jan Oblak preserved control with standout saves, including a close-range stop from Axel Witsel and a later denial of Alex Moreno.
- The victory was Atletico’s fourth consecutive win in all competitions and lifted them provisionally above Villarreal into third place.
- Marcos Llorente returned to the starting lineup, Girona remained 18th with relegation concerns, and Atletico next visit Real Sociedad on January 4 before a Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Real Madrid.