Match ends, Atlético de Madrid 2, Athletic Club 0.
Atl MadridAtlético Madrid2Ath BilbaoAthletic Bilbao0
Diego Costa's 13th goal of the season helped Atletico Madrid return to within one point of leaders Barcelona and restore a five-point lead over Real with victory over Athletic Bilbao.
The striker's clinical finish added to David Villa's volleyed opener to secure an 11th La Liga win out of 12 matches.
And Costa has now moved level with Real's Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of Spain's top-flight goalscoring charts.
Bilbao were reduced to 10 men on 78 minutes when Erik Moran was sent off.
Valencia were the last team other than Barcelona or Real Madrid to win La Liga when they triumphed in 2004.
Only Villarreal have broken the stranglehold of the big two since, coming second behind Real and ahead of third-placed Barca in 2008.
Villa, who joined Atletico from Barcelona in the summer, opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a well-taken volley to take his tally for the season to six goals.
And Costa, 25, doubled the home side's lead seven minutes later when he raced on to a Koke throughball to fire past Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz.
Bilbao, who did not manage a single shot on target, played the final 10 minutes with 10 men after substitute Moran picked up two bookings. Following the defeat, Los Leones stay fifth on 20 points.
Defending champions Barcelona, 1-0 winners at home to Espanyol in Friday's Catalan derby, have 34 points, with Atletico on 33 and Real, who beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 on Saturday, on 28.
Line-ups
Atl Madrid
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Courtois
- 20Torres BelénBooked at 60mins
- 3Filipe Luís
- 14Fernández Arenas
- 23MirandaBooked at 6mins
- 2GodínBooked at 23mins
- 7López ÁlvarezSubstituted forGarcia Escuderoat 72'minutesBooked at 76mins
- 5Cardoso Mendes
- 9VillaSubstituted forRodríguezat 83'minutes
- 19Diego CostaBooked at 74mins
- 6Koke
Substitutes
- 8Garcia Escudero
- 11Rodríguez
- 12Alderweireld
- 15Guilavogui
- 16Torres Muñoz
- 22Insúa
- 35Bono
Ath Bilbao
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Iraizoz
- 15IraolaBooked at 27mins
- 24BalenziagaSubstituted forMoránat 37'minutesBooked at 79mins
- 6San José
- 18Gurpegi
- 4LaporteSubstituted forAlbizuaat 69'minutes
- 17Rico Moreno
- 7Etxebarria UrkiagaSubstituted forSusaetaat 54'minutes
- 20Aduriz
- 10De Marcos
- 19MuniainBooked at 44mins
Substitutes
- 5Morán
- 11Gómez
- 12Albizua
- 13Herrerín Buisán
- 14Susaeta
- 21Herrera Agüera
- 23Ekiza
- Referee:
- Fernando Teixeira Vitienes
- Attendance:
- 52,000
Match Stats
Home TeamAtl MadridAway TeamAth Bilbao
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away2
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away0
- Corners
- Home3
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away21
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Atlético de Madrid 2, Athletic Club 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Raúl García (Atlético de Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gabi.
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Offside, Atlético de Madrid. Cristian Rodríguez tries a through ball, but Diego Costa is caught offside.
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Hand ball by Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Club).
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Offside, Atlético de Madrid. Cristian Rodríguez tries a through ball, but Juanfran is caught offside.
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Koke (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Andoni Iraola (Athletic Club).
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Gabi (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Club).
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Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Carlos Gurpegi (Athletic Club).
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Cristian Rodríguez replaces David Villa.
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Foul by Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid).
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Carlos Gurpegi (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Iker Muniain (Athletic Club) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Unai Albizua following a fast break.
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Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Carlos Gurpegi (Athletic Club).
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Erik Morán (Athletic Club) for a bad foul.
Post update
Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
