Atletico Madrid back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal

Atletico Madrid back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal
The Villarreal players look dejected after conceding the own-goal

Atletico Madrid bounced back from their recent dip in form with a 2-0 win over Villarreal in La Liga. The win helped Diego Simeone’s men move 5 points ahead of Barcelona at the top.

Diego Simeone’s side had picked up just five points from their previous four top-flight games to give rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona hope of reining them in at the summit. 

Atletico Madrid moved 5 points ahead of Barcelona

Atletico went ahead in the 25th minute courtesy of an Alfonso Pedraza own goal following a goalmouth scramble, the goal stood after a VAR check. Simeone’s men survived another video review just before half-time when Lemar was shown a yellow card for elbowing an opponent.

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Atletico’s record signing Joao Felix came off the bench to double their lead in the 69th on the volley. Alex Baena struck the post from distance and forced Oblak into a wonderful save inside the final 10 minutes, but Atleti ultimately held on to take a significant stride towards a first title since the 2013-14 season.

“It was a very important victory,” Atlético defender Stefan Savic said. “We were coming off a bad streak of results and the team responded well. That’s what makes me happy.”

It was Atlético’s first clean sheet after eight matches, which had marked the team’s worst streak conceding goals since Simeone arrived in late 2011.

Real Madrid will have a chance to close the gap 3 points when they face Real Sociedad later.

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