First Division - Day 31

Atlético Madrid 5 - Betis 1

Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Nacho Monsalve, Lucas Hernández, Filipe Luis; Saúl Ñíguez (Thomas 68‘), Gabi, Augusto Fernández (Kranevitter 76‘), Koke; Griezmann, Fernando Torres (Correa 62‘). 4-4-2.
Betis: Adán; Molinero, Pezzella, Westermann, Montoya; N’Diaye, Dani Ceballos; Cejudo (Leandro Damiao 58‘), Fabián (Kadir 48‘), Musonda (Xavi Torres 70‘); Rubén Castro. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 37. Fernando Torres. Ran on to Koke through ball and lifted shot past Adán.
2-0. 42. Griezmann. Chipped shot into area which bounced underneath keeper.
3-0. 65. Juanfran. Chested on Correa centre and ran in to poke shot in to net.
3-1. 79. Rubén Castro. Turned shot in to net after Oblak dropped Damiao cross.
4-1. 81. Griezmann. Swept shot past Adán after Correa passed across area.
5-1. 91. Thomas. From close to goal after Griezmann crossed in from left of area.

Yellow cards: Koke 37’, Pezzella 60’, Kadir 62’, Xavi Torres 73’.

Atlético Madrid closed to within six points of leaders Barcelona after a convincing 5-1 victory over Betis 5-1 on Saturday afternoon. Fernando Torres and Griezmann put the locals two up by half time, the first after running on to Koke’s through ball, and the second with a soft chip into the area which Adán somehow let under his legs. The visiting keeper made up for it in part with good saves from Torres and Griezmann before the break and Griezmann after, and Oblak had to be on his toes to keep out Westermann at the other end soon after the restart. A few minutes later though Juanfran collected a square pass from Correa to make it three, and Thomas could have added to the lead when he shot against the post with the keeper beaten. Rubén Castro did get one back for the Andalusians after Oblak uncharacteristically dropped a Damiao centre at his feet, but Correa set up Griezmann for the fourth, and with the game coming to an end the French striker crossed in for Thomas to complete the scoring. Atlético visit Barcelona next Tuesday in the Champions League quarter finals, and although youngsters Nacho and Lucas did well in defence in the absence of their senior colleagues, Simeone will be hoping to have the likes of Godín and Savic fit in time for that match.