First Division - Day 37

Athletic Bilbao 1 - Atlético Madrid 4

Athletic: Gorka Iraizoz; Gurpegui, Etxeita, Amorebieta, Koikili (Balenziaga 69'); Susaeta, Javi Martínez, Orbaiz, David López (Etxeberría 67'); Toquero, Llorente,. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Pablo, Pernía; Maxi (Sinama-Pongolle 63'), Paulo Assunçao, Raúl García, Simao (Luis García 90'); Agüero (Perea 78'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Athletic: Etxeita, David López, Toquero for Iraola, Balenziaga, Ion Vélez / Atlético: Heitinga for Domínguez.

Goals:
0-1. 59. Raúl García. Struck first time shot past keeper from Pernía's cross.
1-1. 68. Etxeita. Near post header across keeper from Etxeberría corner.
1-2. 72. Forlán. Latched on to loose ball and drilled low shot wide of Gorka.
1-3. 78. Forlán. Headed on Agüero pass and fired angled shot past keeper.
1-4. 87. Forlán (penalty). After Forlán himself pulled back by Etxeita in area.

Yellow cards: Assunçao 14', Koikili 58', Amorebieta 76', Luis García 91'.

Atlético Madrid stay fourth after a 1-4 victory at Athletic Bilbao, and they only need a point now in their last match at home to Almería to make sure of a place in next season's Champions League.

The only real chances in the first half fell to Kun Agüero, who missed the target a couple of times. Llorente brought a couple of good saves out of Leo Franco soon after the restart, but on the hour mark Raúl García fired the visitors ahead.

Llorente headed a free kick against the bar soon afterwards, and Etxeita headed the equaliser from Etxeberría's corner a few minutes later. But Forlán restored the lead again after latching on to a loose ball and beating Gorka from outside of the area.

And the Uruguayan striker scored two more after that, the second from the penalty spot, to complete his hat-trick and move two goals clear of Eto'o in the race for the Liga "Pichichi" and the European "Golden Boot". Atleti's long suffering fans will be grateful.