Atletico 3-1 Athletic Club: Correa & De Paul on target, Unai Simón nets own goal

Atletico Madrid gain vital Champions League edge over Athletic Club.

Match Events

15' GOAL! Atletico  Athletic Club (Rodrigo de Paul)

45' GOAL! Atletico 1-1 Athletic Club (Nico Williams)

53' GOAL! Atletico 2-1 Athletic Club (Ángel Correa)

80' OWN GOAL! Atletico 3-1 Athletic Club (Unai Simón)

Match Report

Atletico Madrid have secured a crucial boost in the La Liga top four race with a key 3-1 win over rivals Athletic Club.

Los Rojiblancos end the weekend with a six point lead over their Basque visitors with five games left to play in the domestic campaign.

Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring for Atletico Madrid before racist chanting from the home fans towards  Nico Williams forced a two minute stoppage.

Williams produced a perfect response as he equalised before the break to level the contest.

Angel Correa’s snap shot put the home side back in front at the start of the second period and he was denied a third late on.

Atletico Madrid finally wrapped up victory in the final stages as Samuel Lino’s effort came back off the post and was deflected home by Unai Simon.

Games against teams battling relegation are on the horizon for Atletico Madrid but they remain on course to maintain their fine Champions League qualifying record under Diego Simeone.

Images via Getty Images

Line-ups

Atletico XI: Witsel, Oblak, Griezmann, Koke, De Paul, Gimenez, Correa, Hermoso, Llorente, Nahuel Molina, Samuel Lino

Subs: Azpilicueta, Morata, Saul , Reinildo Mandava, Horaţiu Moldovan, Riquelme, Pablo Barrios, Antonio Gomis, Arthur Vermeeren

Athletic Club XI: Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Y.Álvarez, Lekue, I.Williams, Unai Simón, Gorka Guruzeta, Dani Vivian, Oihan Sancet, Aitor Paredes, Beñat Prados, Nico Williams

Subs: R.García, Muniain, Herrera, D.García, Asier Villalibre, Vesga, Berenguer, Imanol García de Albéniz, Julen Agirrezabala, Hugo Rincón, Adu Ares, Unai Gómez