Athletic Bilbao 1-4 Atletico Madrid

1. Antoine Griezmann scores a second-half hat-trick
2. Champions move within four points of leaders
3. Result: Inter Milan 2-2 Lazio
4. Inter come from two down to earn draw

And the lack of action on mainland Europe means our coverage of live continental football takes a breather too.

We will return on the first weekend of 2015 when Atletico Madrid host Levante (15:00) on Saturday 3 January, followed by Valencia v Real Madrid (16:00) and Real Sociedad v Barcelona (20:00) on Sunday 4 January.

In the meantime, don't forget to go to our European football page for all the latest news over the festive period. Enjoy!

Winter breaks

While England's footballers spend their Christmas Days on the training ground or travelling on the team bus ahead of their Boxing Day fixtures, their continental counterparts can sit back, relax and recharge their batteries.

Spain: 21 December - 3 January

Germany: 21 December - 30 January

Italy: 21 December - 5 January

France: 21 December - 7 January

STAT ATTACK

Spanish La Liga

Atletico's Antoine Griezmann is the first French player to score a hat-trick in La Liga since Thierry Henry against Valencia in 2008.

FULL-TIME

French Ligue 1

While we were engrossed in the Spanish action, French title-chasers Lyon decided to run riot at Bordeaux.

The home side were reduced to 10-men midway through the second half, allowing Lyon to bag three more goals in the final 10 minutes.

That moves them up to second, behind leaders Marseille and ahead of defending champions Paris St-Germain, going into the winter break.

How La Liga looks

Spanish La Liga

BBC

Boy, did Atletico need that morale-boosting win before the Spanish winter break. Los Rojiblancos are hanging on to the coat-tails of leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona.

FULL-TIME

All over! What a superb, and admittedly controversial, fightback from Atletico Madrid. Their jubilant players hug on the pitch as hat-trick hero Antoine Griezmann hunts down the match-ball. Coach Diego Simeone, who masterminded the comeback, wanders off down the tunnel with a smug grin.

The Atletico fans inside San Memes, behind the goal which their side have attacked with such gusto in the second half, find their singing voices as the clock ticks down to a priceless win.

INJURY TIME

Diego Godin is made of the tough stuff. The Atletico defender has a few balls of cotton wool shoved up his left nostril, changes his blood-soaked shirt and enthusiastically runs back on. He's got four minutes of injury-time to see out...

Ouch!

Spanish La Liga

Someone fetch the magic sponge quick! Atletico defender Diego Godin is coshed by a flailing arm from his own team-mate Jose Maria Gimenez as they both jump for a high ball.

Godin's nose splatters quicker than a heavyweight boxer's and blood streams all over his silver shirt.

FIVE TO GO

Little less than five minutes to go. The Bilbao fans are furious and they aren't shy in letting the match officials know. Referee Alejandro Hernandez and his linesmen won't be going out for a Chritmas tipple and bit of Basque-flavoured tapas in the city centre tonight.

Spanish La Liga

However, replays suggest that Antoine Griezmann was a couple of yards offside as he tucked in the fourth. Athletic, who rightly felt Atletico's second goal should never have been a penalty, are aggrieved again. Griezmann doesn't care. His only worry is clearing the Christmas cards from his mantelpiece to make room for a signed matchball.

FULL-TIME

Italian Serie A

Reuters

It's all over at the San Siro. Lazio had eased into a 2-0 lead but were hanging on in the end as Inter staged a stirring comeback to earn a point. Lazio move third in Serie A on goal difference, while Inter stay 11th.

GOAL - GRIEZMANN HAT-TRICK

Getty Images

Clinical stuff from Atletico Madrid. A swift counter ends in Antoine Griezmann unselfishly rolling the ball to Raul Garcia about six yards out. The goal gapes, the Spain midfielder can't convert, but it drops to Griezmann who gleefully smashes in his third of a productive night.

Spanish La Liga

The home side aren't throwing in the towel yet. Right-sided attacker Markel Susaeta, not for the first time tonight, swings in a dangerous cross which is met by the creased forehead of Aritz Aduriz. But he is under pressure at the near post from Atletico defender Diego Godin and heads wide.

Italian Serie A

It's all Inter now and Mateo Kovacic is denied his second and the home side's third when Lazio keeper Federico Marchetti tips his top-corner bound header over the crossbar. Talk about a turnaround.

Spanish La Liga

The Atletico penalty area is more akin to a WWE ring as the two sets of players grapple while they wait for a Bilbao corner. Referee Alejandro Hernandez blows his whistle as the Atletico defence tap out.

GOAL

AP

Turnaround complete. Antoine Griezmann keeps his cool to collect Gabi's throughball before expertly firing in Atletico's third from a central position just inside the home area. The France attacker also did well to keep his footing - unlike a Bilbao defender who slipped as he tried to intercept Gabi's pass.

GOAL

Italian Serie A

Reuters

Inter have been piling on the pressure and Lazio have buckled again. A free-kick is nodded across goal by Danilo D'Ambrosio and, whether it was intentional or not, it allows Rodrigo Palacio the chance to sweep in a leveller.

Get involved

Akshay Polji: No Koke, no Mandzukic, no Problem. 1-2 & back in business. Let's face it, title-winning sides should know how to win ugly.

YELLOW CARD

Plenty of jostling and, shall we say, differing of opinions as Atletico defender Gimenez and his Athletic opponent Iker Muniain clash. Again.

The pair who scuffled in the first half, both fly in for a loose ball on the touchline, with Muniain adjudged to be the player who has broken the rules. That's despite Gimenez flying through the air like the Karate Kid.

GOAL

French Ligue 1

Getty Images

Lyon double their lead as they move a step closer to finishing 2014 in second place in the Ligue 1 table. Defender Corentin Tolisso is the man whose name goes on the scoresheet.

Spanish La Liga

Fast and furious stuff in the Basque Country. Low on quality, high on entertainment. Home striker Aritz Aduriz has a shot saved, before team-mate Mikel Balenziaga fires wide of the Atletico goal.

Get involved

Räbin: Love Atletico Madrid, but that dive was a disgrace to this beautiful game.

GOAL

Italian Serie A

Getty Images

What a goal!! An Inter corner is headed clear by the Lazio defence but it falls for Mateo Kovacic 22 yards out and he unleashes a stunning volley to pull one back for the home side. Quality.

GOAL

Reuters

Big controversy. The furious Bilbao players surround referee Alejandro Hernández, who hadn't made an error - until now. Never a penalty for me. Mikel San Jose stood his ground and I'm not even convinced there was any contact between him and Tiago.

But Raul Garcia doesn't care. The Atletico midfielder focuses on the job in hand, drilling the spot-kick into the back of the Bilbao net. What a turnaround!

PENALTY TO ATLETICO MADRID

Atletico midfielder Tiago charges into the home penalty area and goes tumbling after the slightest of touches from a defender. But the referee instantly points to the spot....

Spanish La Liga

That was Atletico's first on-target shot of the game - and it has considerably lifted the visitors.

GOAL

AP

Whatever Diego Simeone said at half-time should be bottled up and sold across the country. He would make a killing.

Within 60 seconds of the break, Atletico are back level. The champions show their gritty side, winning possession inside the Bilbao half after a spell of pinball, before turning on the style with some intricate passing.

The ball goes wide to right-back Juanfran and the Spain defender's delicious curling cross is met by the head of Antoine Griezmann who plants into the corner.

The home fans are stunned.

KICK-OFF

The teams are back out on the pitch - can Atletico finish a wonderful 2014 with a final flurry?

Marseille top of the French pile

French Ligue 1

Earlier, Marseille capitalised on a slip-up by rivals Paris St-Germain by beating Lille to move three points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

Excited Ronaldo unveils statue

@Cristiano

Cristiano Ronaldo is the man who has everything - including a statue at his own museum. The bust stands at 3.4m and was erected at the shrine to the Real Madrid man on his home island of Madeira earlier today.

"I feel so proud to be honoured with a statue in Madeira. It's a huge joy to share this moment," tweets the Portugal skipper.

KICK-OFF

The game at a slighty-misty San Siro is back on the go. Bet Roberto Mancini dished out a half-time rollicking too. Plenty for his troops to do if they want to improve their lowly position of 11th in the Serie A table.

STAT ATTACK

Spanish La Liga

One goal separates the two sides - Mikel Rico's first of the season on his 50th La Liga appearance for Athletic Bilbao.

HALF-TIME

Half-time at a boisterous San Memes. Atletico coach Diego Simeone marches off towards the tunnel like a madman, grimacing and waving his arms into the air.

His side have been uncharacteristically poor, failing to even muster a shot on target. Deserved lead for Bilbao, who have played at a higher tempo than the lacklustre Spanish champions.

GOAL

French Ligue 1

Getty Images

Big goal in Ligue 1. The French top-flight's top scorer Alexandre Lacazette puts Lyon ahead - and that means, if they hold on to their advantage, they will move above defending champions Paris St-Germain into second.

Spanish La Liga

Now the home fans are screaming for a penalty. But, not for the first time, Senor Hernandez makes the correct call. Athletic forward Aduriz nips in ahead of away defender Diego Godin, checks his run as he moves into the box, allowing the Atletico backline to scamper back.

Aduriz slips under a challenge, throws his arms into the air, but in his heart of hearts knows that it is never a penalty.

Spanish La Liga

Athletic Bilbao supporters are leaning heavily on referee Alejandro Hernandez, begging him for a free-kick every time an Atletico player dares tackle one of their red and white-shirted heroes.

But Hernandez is having an excellent game, allowing it to flow at a fair pace.

HALF-TIME

AP

Roberto Mancini

Easy street for Lazio so far. And the chances of Inter Milan earning a first home win since Roberto Mancini's return appear as likely as Father Christmas dropping by my house for a glass of whisky next week.

SUBSTITUTION

Oh dear. Imagine the embarrassment of being hooked before half-time. That's what has just happened to Inter's left-sided player Dodo. Seconds before the whistle he is replaced by Gary Medel, formerly of Cardiff fame.

Bet Dodo didn't shake Roberto Mancini's hand as he walked off...

Spanish La Liga

Atletico are badly missing Mario Mandzukic. The Croatia striker is suspended and Los Rojiblancos don't have a focal point in attack without him. Physical presence is a pre-requisite for an Atletico striker under Simeone. Diego Costa anyone?

Spanish La Liga

Still all Athletic Bilbao as they take the game to the Spanish champions. Another set-piece, this time a left-wing corner, is not convincingly dealt with, until Atletico keeper Miguel Angel Moya takes charge to claim Iker Munain's header back into the box.

GOAL

Getty Images

Lazio double their tally, Felipe Anderson doubles his tally. The visitors punish Inter on the counter attack after the home team clumsily surrender possession. Anderson does the rest, cutting in from the left before fizzing a low shot into the bottom corner. Inter boss Roberto Mancini just stands and shakes his head at his side's terrible defending.

Spanish La Liga

Almost a chance for Atletico to drag themselves back into the game. Bilbao keeper Gorka Iraizoz goes walkabout, but Atletico forward Ardan Turan cannot turn towards the goal as the home side scramble back.

Spanish La Liga

Atletico boss Diego Simeone is going nuts on the touchline - even his slicked-back undercut haircut is jumping up in fright. The Argentine is not happy at all.

Italian Serie A

Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin chances his luck from 30-yards out and his effort is well struck and not too far off. Some home fans think it's in but no such joy for them.

GOAL

AP

It is not often Atletico are caught out at set-pieces - but they have been now. Markel Susaeta clips up the set-piece towards the penalty spot and shaven-headed Athletic midfielder Mikel Rico out-jumps Atletico's backline to nod into the corner.

Spanish La Liga

Athletic striker Aduriz is taking a battering from the mean Atletico defence, with Diego Godin's knee finding his opponent's lower back. Free-kick about 35 yards out from goal...

STAT ATTACK

Italian Serie A

Getty Images

Inter have conceded six goals in the first 15 minutes of play in this Serie A, fewer only than Cagliari (9).

Spanish La Liga

Referee Alejandro Hernandez is tooting his whistle more than a New York City traffic cop at the moment. The home fans are jeering as Atletico's teenage defender Jose Maria Gimenez clashes with home attacker Iker Munain inside the away penalty area.

Hernandez calls the pair over after their childish spat, which is all playground-style shoving and a few choice words, and reads out the riot act.

Italian Serie A

Inter produce some nice intricate passing and Yuto Nagatomo gets a sight of goal but has his shot from 10 yards deflected wide. Some promising signs developing from the home side.

Italian Serie A

All gone very sloppy at the San Siro. Like a cheap Bolognese pizza. Not much goalmouth action at either end after that frantic start, although Lazio are just shading things by my reckoning.

Koke shows his colours

And here is Koke! In his lovely laminated-floored living room, wearing his rather fetching Atletico scarf. No 'half and half' for the Spain midfielder...

@Atleti

Atletico, without playmaker Koke and striker Mario Mandzukic through suspension, have started brightly at San Mames despite the absence of the influential pair.

But, despite plenty of possession, they are still yet to test the home keeper.

KICK-OFF

Spain's survival of the fittest - Athletic v Atletico - is under way.

Italian Serie A

Signs of life from Inter Milan as they search for an equaliser. Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin shoots from 20 yards, but his low drive is easily gathered by the Lazio keeper.

LINE-UPS

Spanish La Liga

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz, De Marcos, Gurpegi, Etxeita, Balenziaga, San José, Rico Moreno, Susaeta, López Cabrera, Muniain, Aduriz.

Atletico Madrid: Moya, Juanfran, Giménez de Vargas, Godín, Siqueira, Turan, Gabi, Tiago, Ñíguez, Raúl García, Griezmann.

Italian Serie A

All Lazio in these early stages. The San Siro is rocking. And not for positive reasons. Goalscorer Felipe Anderson thumps a vicious far-post volley over the Inter crossbar.

If you're thinking that ex-Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic could help stop this tide, then you don't agree with Roberto Mancini. The Inter boss has dumped the veteran Serbian defender on the bench in recent weeks.

GOAL

EPA

Perfect start for Lazio! Big-money Brazilian Felipe Anderson has not made a lightning start to his Lazio career - but he has made a lightning start to this game. A delicious touch on the edge of the Inter box creates some space for him to rifle in a low angled drive.

LINE-UPS

Inter Milan: Handanovic, D'Ambrosio, Ranocchia, Nunes Jesus, Nagatomo, Guarín, Kuzmanovic, Kovacic, Palacio, Icardi, Dodo.

Lazio: Marchetti, Basta, De Vrij, Cana, Radu, Parolo, Ledesma, Lulic, Pereira Gomes, Klose, Mauri.

KICK-OFF

A focused Roberto Mancini stands in the San Siro dug-out, hands deep in his trenchcoat pockets, Nerazzurri scarf wrapped tightly around his neck. Game on!

Old acquaintances

Getty Images

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini will be back at one of his former club when his side take on Lazio today.

Lazio need a win to move back into third place but Mancini, who played for them for three years and also managed them for a spell, has never lost to his ex-club.

"They are a dangerous team," said Mancini, who has won once since taking over at Inter again.

"It's true that they have lost five games already but they deserved better in a few of them."

Mancini hope

Inter Milan are 11th in Serie A and seven points off third place, which would earn Champions League qualification.

But Inter boss and ex-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini reckons a top three finish is still within his side's reach going into today's game against fifth-placed Lazio.

Victory will move Inter within three points of tonight's visitors to the San Siro.

"There's a long way to go," says Mancini. "I'm sure we will be fighting for third place till the end and I know we can finish there. Now's not the time to look at the tables. The key is to keep on improving."

Italian Serie A

Before we tuck into that Spanish treat, let's quickly nip over the Mediterranean Sea to Italy where another big match is about to kick off...

Spanish La Liga

The way in which Atletico traded blows with Real Madrid and Barcelona all season - and were eventually left as the last man standing - dumbfounded their critics.

But if they don't win in the Basque Country tonight, then their hopes of retaining the La Liga title could be left on the ropes.

Atletico, who lost the likes of Diego Costa, David Villa and Thibaut Courtois from last season's title-winning side, are already seven points behind leaders Real.

Getty Images

G'day amigos! If the past 12 months have been "unforgettable" for Real Madrid, then what have they been for Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and his band of merry men?

Former Argentina skipper Simeone, who famously described his playing style as "like a man with a knife between his teeth", has transformed the fortunes of Los Rojiblancos.

Once, Atletico were Real's downtrodded neighbours. Now they are La Liga champions after ending Spain's monotonous Real and Barca duopoly on a dramatic final day of last season. And they were only denied a maiden Champions League crown by their aristocratic neighbours.

Can they end an extraordinary 2014 on a high? Atletico travel to Athletic Bilbao for their final match before the Spanish winter break.

Getty Images

If you thought Crocodile Dundee was the only have-a-go hero brave enough to hold a knife between his teeth, think again. Football has its own version.

Swap the Outback for the Calderon, switch Mick Dundee's sidekick 'Donk' for German Burgos, and change Colombian baddies to Spanish football managers.

Then you've got the swashbuckling figure of Diego Simeone.