Atlético Madrid 2 - Racing Santander 1

Atlético: Leo Franco; Velasco, Perea, Pablo, Antonio López; Galletti, Colsa, Gabi, Petrov (García Calvo 94'); Kezman (Ibagaza 75'), Fernando Torres (Antonio Moreno 95'). 4-4-2.
Racing: Dudu Aouate; Pinillos, Garay, Pablo Alfaro, Ayoze; Antonio Tomás (Casquero 84'), Vitolo; Damià, Felipe Melo (Oscar Serrano 84'), Christian Portilla; Pinilla (Antoñito 61'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Galletti, Colsa for Valera, Luccin / Racing: Ayoze, Antonio Tomás, Christian Portilla for Regragui, Casquero, Jonathan.

Goals:
1-0. 64. Fernando Torres (penalty). After Colsa pushed over by Ayoze in area.
1-1. 70. Damià. Near post header across keeper from Portilla's corner.
2-1. 73. Pablo. Got above defence to head in Petrov's corner on near post.

Atlético Madrid beat Racing Santander 2-1 in the next to last game of the weekend to close up to within two points of the European spots. It was not as impressive a victory as they would have liked though, and the Cantabrians were unlucky not to go in at the break ahead after Felipe Melo and Pinilla both missed chances.

Atlético's only reply had been a long free kick which Aouate kept out without too many problems, but Pepe Murcia's side found themselves with a gift from referee González Vázquez when he awarded a penalty after Colsa fell under a challenge from Ayoze around the hour mark.

Fernando Torres stepped up to beat the Israeli keeper from the spot, but the lead only lasted six minutes before Damià levelled the scores with a header past Leo Franco from Pinilla's corner, the referee sending off Racing coach Manolo Preciado for insulting him in the goal celebrations.

Atlético went back in front though three minutes later when Pablo rose to head home Petrov's corner on the near post, again a controversial goal as the visitors were still complaining about a hard tackle which left Damià injured. The locals were left with ten men later on when Gabi picked up a second booking in injury time, but they held on for the last couple of minutes to ensure the three points.