Match ends, Atlético de Madrid 3, Real Valladolid 0.
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Real Valladolid
- From the section European Football
Atletico Madrid scored two goals in a minute against Real Valladolid to return to winning ways and keep their title challenge on track.
Diego Simeone's side lost in their last league outing, but were 2-0 ahead in the opening four minutes against Real.
Midfielder Raul Garcia opened the scoring after three minutes before turning provider moments later for Diego Costa's 21st in 24 league games.
Defender Diego Godin added the third with a header.
The victory moved Atletico clear at the summit although Barcelona replaced them at the top a few hours later after thrashing Rayo Vallecano 6-0.
Nevertheless the result was the perfect response to critics who had suggested Atletico's title charge was faltering after they won just two of their previous five league games.
Real, who are three points from safety with 14 games remaining, were blown away by Atletico's strong start.
Garcia found the net with a low shot into the corner - the 27-year-old's seventh league goal of the season - after Koke had touched a free-kick into his path.
Atletico's fans were still celebrating when Costa doubled the lead after running on to the ball and lobbing goalkeeper Diego Marino.
Uruguay international Godin's second league goal of the season sealed a comfortable win following a corner by former Brazil midfielder Diego.
Line-ups
Atl Madrid
- 13Courtois
- 20Torres Belén
- 22Insúa
- 14Fernández Arenas
- 12Alderweireld
- 2Godín
- 6KokeSubstituted forSosaat 79'minutes
- 4Suárez
- 19Diego Costa
- 8Garcia EscuderoSubstituted forRibas da Cunhaat 64'minutes
- 10TuranSubstituted forVillaat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Aranzubia
- 7López Álvarez
- 9Villa
- 11Rodríguez
- 21Ribas da Cunha
- 23Miranda
- 24Sosa
Real Valladolid
- 13Mariño
- 2Rukavina
- 17PeñaBooked at 82mins
- 5Rossi
- 4Valiente
- 15MitrovicBooked at 86mins
- 11LarssonSubstituted forRamaat 72'minutes
- 18Rubio
- 9Guerra RodríguezSubstituted forContreiras Gonçalvesat 79'minutes
- 22Pérez AlonsoBooked at 82mins
- 14Ramos SuárezSubstituted forOsorio Botelloat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Jiménez Merlo
- 7Osorio Botello
- 8Baraja
- 16Sastre Reus
- 19Rama
- 21Bergdich
- 23Contreiras Gonçalves
- Referee:
- Eduardo Prieto Iglesias
- Attendance:
- 47,000
Match Stats
Home TeamAtl MadridAway TeamReal Valladolid
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home8
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away11
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Atlético de Madrid 3, Real Valladolid 0.
Attempt missed. Manucho (Real Valladolid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Osorio with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Antonio Rukavina (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid).
Álvaro Rubio (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid).
Booking
Stefan Mitrovic (Real Valladolid) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Osorio (Real Valladolid).
Thibaut Courtois (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Osorio (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid).
Foul by Valdet Rama (Real Valladolid).
Diego (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Carlos Peña (Real Valladolid) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Víctor Pérez (Real Valladolid) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt missed. Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Diego following a fast break.
Corner, Real Valladolid. Conceded by Emiliano Insúa.
Substitution
Substitution, Real Valladolid. Manucho replaces Javi Guerra.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. José Sosa replaces Koke.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. David Villa replaces Arda Turan.
Foul by Fausto Rossi (Real Valladolid).
Mario Suárez (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Atlético de Madrid 3, Real Valladolid 0. Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Diego with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Atlético de Madrid. Conceded by Víctor Pérez.
Substitution
Substitution, Real Valladolid. Valdet Rama replaces Daniel Larsson.
Corner, Real Valladolid. Conceded by Juanfran.
Fausto Rossi (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mario Suárez (Atlético de Madrid).
Foul by Víctor Pérez (Real Valladolid).
Arda Turan (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Javi Guerra (Real Valladolid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Koke (Atlético de Madrid).
Corner, Atlético de Madrid. Conceded by Stefan Mitrovic.
Mario Suárez (Atlético de Madrid) hits the bar with a header from very close range. Assisted by Koke with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Atlético de Madrid. Conceded by Carlos Peña.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Diego replaces Raúl García.
Attempt saved. Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) header from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Koke.
Corner, Atlético de Madrid. Conceded by Marc Valiente.
Attempt missed. Marc Valiente (Real Valladolid) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Fausto Rossi with a cross following a corner.