Match ends, Getafe 0, Atlético de Madrid 2.
GetafeGetafe0Atl MadridAtlético Madrid2
Atletico Madrid's charge towards a first Spanish title since 1996 shows no sign of faltering after Diego Simeone's men earned a vital win at Getafe.
Diego Godin headed the La Liga leaders, now three points clear of Real Madrid, in front after a goalkeeping error.
Atletico striker Diego Costa missed a second-half penalty after Getafe's Angel Lafita dragged down substitute Adrian and was subsequently sent off.
But Costa made amends by sliding in a late second from Adrian's cross.
However, the Spain striker's bravery in wrapping up victory at the far post came at a bloody price.
The Atletico top scorer, on his return from a recent thigh injury, was carried off on a stretcher with a deep gash below his left knee after colliding with the woodwork as he converted his 26th goal of the season.
The nasty incident left Simeone looking concerned on the touchline but the Atletico boss revealed afterwards that it was not as serious as first feared.
"Diego is fine. We don't need to worry, it was just a scare," said the former Argentina international, who expects 25-year-old Costa to be fit to face Elche on Friday.
And, importantly, it means a routine win for the visitors was not ruined ahead of a thrilling La Liga and Champions League climax.
| La Liga title run-in | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid | Real Madrid | Barcelona | |
| 18-20 April | Elche (H) | Ath. Bilbao (H) | |
| 26-27 April | Valencia (A) | Osasuna (H) | Villarreal (A) |
| 3-4 May | Levante (A) | Valencia (H) | Getafe (H) |
| 7 May | Valladolid (A) | ||
| 10-11 May | Malaga (H) | Celta Vigo (A) | Elche (A) |
| 18 May | Barcelona (A) | Espanyol (H) | Atl. Madrid (H) |
Before the start of the season, few would have predicted Atletico could break up the Spanish duopoly of Real and Barcelona but, with five matches left, the destination of the La Liga crown stays in their own hands.
They have won their last seven games to take control of an enthralling Spanish title race and know victories in their next four matches will see Simeone's men lift the title, making the tantalising final-day trip to third-placed Barcelona irrelevant.
And there is still a possibility of an unlikely double with a Champions League semi-final against Chelsea looming later this month.
Much of Atletico's success has been based on defensive stability, added to the threat posed in front of goal by Costa, and this was again the basis for their victory against Madrid rivals Getafe.
Costa had twice gone close before Uruguay defender Godin took advantage of terrible positioning by goalkeeper Jordi Codina to nod in Juanfran's lofted ball.
Adrian looked certain to add a second shortly after replacing David Villa, but he was wrestled to the floor by Lafita inside the Getafe six-yard box.
The home midfielder was dismissed for the challenge but Codina produced a terrific one-handed save low to his left to stop Costa's penalty, before the striker slid in a painful second for both him and Getafe.
Line-ups
Getafe
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Codina
- 12Arroyo
- 3LagoSubstituted forCruz Camposat 80'minutes
- 24MosqueraBooked at 22minsSubstituted forLacenat 68'minutes
- 15López Gómez
- 2Ruano DelgadoBooked at 25mins
- 14Sánchez Gil
- 22Rodríguez Villamuela
- 9Marica
- 7LafitaBooked at 64mins
- 17CastroSubstituted forColungaat 58'minutes
Substitutes
- 4López
- 5Lacen
- 11Colunga
- 19Cruz Campos
- 20Valera
- 23Fernández Fernández
- 25Jacobi
Atl Madrid
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Courtois
- 20Torres Belén
- 3Filipe Luís
- 14Fernández Arenas
- 23Miranda
- 2GodínBooked at 16mins
- 8Garcia EscuderoSubstituted forRibas da Cunhaat 72'minutes
- 4Suárez
- 19Diego CostaBooked at 76minsSubstituted forRodríguezat 86'minutes
- 9VillaBooked at 45minsSubstituted forLópez Álvarezat 62'minutes
- 6Koke
Substitutes
- 1Aranzubia
- 5Cardoso Mendes
- 7López Álvarez
- 11Rodríguez
- 12Alderweireld
- 21Ribas da Cunha
- 24Sosa
- Referee:
- David Fernández Borbalán
- Attendance:
- 12,100
Match Stats
Home TeamGetafeAway TeamAtl Madrid
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away8
- Corners
- Home3
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Getafe 0, Atlético de Madrid 2.
Post update
Attempt saved. Mario Suárez (Atlético de Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ciprian Marica (Getafe).
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Foul by Gabi (Atlético de Madrid).
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Ciprian Marica (Getafe) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. Diego (Atlético de Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Juanfran.
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Cristian Rodríguez replaces Diego Costa because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid) because of an injury.
Goal!
Goal! Getafe 0, Atlético de Madrid 2. Diego Costa (Atlético de Madrid) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adrián.
Post update
Attempt missed. Pedro León (Getafe) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is too high. Assisted by Adrián Colunga with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Getafe. Sammir replaces Roberto Lago.
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Foul by Diego (Atlético de Madrid).
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Adrián Colunga (Getafe) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Gabi (Atlético de Madrid).
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Roberto Lago (Getafe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Adrián (Atlético de Madrid).
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Juan Rodríguez (Getafe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
