Atlético Madrid 2 - Betis 1

Atlético: Sergio Aragoneses; Gaspar, García Calvo, Lequi, Sergi; De los Santos; Aguilera (Novo 70'), Paunovic (Simeone 90'), Ibagaza (Jorge 77'), Nano; Fernando Torres. 4-1-4-1.
Betis: Prats; Varela, Juanito, Lembo, Luis Fernández; Ito, Benjamín; Joaquín, Tote (Capi 66'), Denilson (Ismael 76'); Alfonso. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: García Calvo, Paunovic for Simeone, Gabi / Betis: Denilson for Ismael.

Goals:
1-0. 52. Paunovic. Ran on to pass from Torres and fired shot into far corner of net.
1-1. 68. Joaquín. Controlled through pass from Capi and placed ball past Sergio.
2-1. 69. Fernando Torres. Took return pass from Paunovic and shot wide of keeper.

Fernando Torres celebrated his 20th birthday in style, scoring the winner in Atlético Madrid's 2-1 victory over Betis to keep his side in the UEFA cup spots. Torres and his strike partner Paunovic could have scored three times in the opening two minutes if not for Betis keeper Toni Prats, and Aguilera headed another chance over later in the first half. And seven minutes after the restart Torres raced down the right wing and played the ball back for Paunovic to drive a first time shot into the bottom far corner.

An off-form Tote had missed the best chance of the night before the break, and Víctor Fernández replaced him with Capi twenty minutes in to the second half. Only two minutes later the substitute slipped the ball through for Joaquín to beat Aragoneses and level the scores, the goal coming just seconds after Lembo had cleared an effort from Torres off the line.

Their joy only lasted another minute though before Paunovic played a return ball into the path of Torres for him to run on and beat Prats to restore the lead. Juanito could have equalised soon afterwards when he hooked the ball onto the crossbar, but Prats had to be at his best to beat away a late effort from Paunovic. Atlético return to winning ways in the Calderón stadium after three draws in a row, thanks once again to their young hero. It is no coincidence that "El Niño" has scored in every one of his side's eight league wins this season.