Atlético Madrid 1 - Racing Santander 0

Atlético: Leo Franco; Velasco, Perea, Pablo, Antonio López; Luccin (Simeone 70'), Marcelo Sosa; Jorge (Novo 60'), Ibagaza (Salva 51'), Nano; Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.
Racing: Dudu Aouate; Oriol, Moratón, Pierini, Juanma (Jonathan 57'); Parri, Nafti (Anderson Silva 46'); Cristian Alvarez (Morán 46'), Benayoun, Regueiro; Javi Guerrero. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Velasco, Perea, Antonio López, Luccin, Marcelo Sosa, Ibagaza, Nano for Molinero, García Calvo, Sergi, Simeone, Colsa, Novo, Musampa / Racing: Oriol, Cristian Alvarez for Pedro López, Arizmendi.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Fernando Torres. Far post header after Pierini failed to clear Jorge cross.

Fernando Torres silenced his critics with the only goal to give Atlético Madrid a 1-0 win over struggling Racing Santander. The international striker had been under fire for his poor performance for Spain, but he was in the right place to head Jorge's cross into the net early on after a terrible mistake by Pierini, who completely missed his kick whilst trying to clear. Torres should have wrapped things up before half time, but he headed Nano's cross over the bar and then shot wide after Ibagaza put him through.

Jorge shot just wide of the post and Ibagaza hit an effort straight at the keeper either side of half time, and Aouate blocked another header from Torres (which was subsequently ruled offside). Racing's only effort up to this point had been a Javi Guerrero shot which Leo Franco saved in the first half, but the striker should have done better when sent away past the defence, his attempted chip not even remotely causing problems for the keeper. Novo and Torres both had chances after that, but it was a disappointing performance by Ferrando's side, and large sections of the fans whistled them off at the end. The win had however secured them fourth place in the table, and left the Cantabrians at the bottom of the pile.