'Angry' Alvarez laments missed hat-trick chance
Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez was left frustrated after he failed to complete a hat-trick in his side's 4-1 rout of Real Betis.
Conference League finalist Betis was no match for Atleti, which marked its final LaLiga home match of the season with an emphatic win.
Alvarez scored in the 10th minute, doubling his tally after Robin Le Normand had grabbed Atleti's second.
Pablo Fornals had dragged Betis back into it before Alvarez made it 3-1, with Angel Correa adding further gloss in stoppage time.
However, Alvarez, who is Atleti's joint-leading scorer in LaLiga this term with 17 goals, was left to lament a big chance missed to get his third goal, after he hit the post following a mazy run.
"I was very angry, the goal was right there in front of me but I made the wrong decision with the shot," Alvarez said. "I'm happy, sure, but the hat-trick will stay in the back of my mind.
"The team played a great game. It was a nice goal from the free-kick.
"There are still things to improve, but we are looking forward to the Club World Cup, which starts in less than a month."
Alvarez has scored 29 goals in 53 appearances this season in all competitions, making him the player to score the most goals in his first season for Atleti since Radamel Falcao in 2011-2012 (36 goals in 50 appearances).
