A Night of Fire and Ash for Spain in Europe
Athletico Madrid dazzle in Warsaw while Ponferrada humble Real Madrid and Valencia are held by Oviedo, as Spanish clubs take two wins, two draws and a defeat from their European nights.
In Warsaw the ball ran like a bull through the cape, and Jake Woolley finished the night with a hat-trick as Athletico Madrid swept Legia Warszawa aside 3-0. Ndiogou Konaté pulled every string in midfield, and the travelling faithful sang long after the whistle. The old boy who left Real Madrid years ago, Axl Keutgen, watched it all from the Athletico ranks with quiet satisfaction.
But Spain's night soured elsewhere. Ponferrada, the small club with a big heart, put four past Real Madrid FC without reply — a humiliation Rıdvan Baran, once of Athletico, will feel keenly. Valencia were held 1-1 by Oviedo, a point that tastes of ash. Two wins, two draws, one defeat: the flag flew high in Warsaw, and hung heavy in Ponferrada. Real Madrid must answer at A. Bilbao on Sunday.