Atlético: Oblak; Jesús Gámez, José María Giménez, Godín, Siqueira (Juanfran 48’); Gabi, Tiago; Raúl García (Saúl Ñíguez 69‘), Griezmann (Raúl Jiménez 80‘), Koke; Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.
Elche: Tyton; Samuel Martínez, Enzo Roco, Rafa Gálvez, Cisma; Adrián González, Mosquera (Mario Arqués 86’); Rodrigues (Alvaro Giménez 73’), Fayçal Fajr, Coro; Jonathas (Cristian Herrera 78’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 55. Griezmann. Headed ball back into net after Tyton pushed out Koke shot.
2-0. 63. Raúl García. Picked up throw-in and struck long shot inside near post.
3-0. 77. Griezmann. Got on the end of Saúl Ñíguez cross to slide shot past keeper.
Yellow cards: Fernando Torres 25’, Cisma 43’, Jonathas 53’, Koke 92’, Gabi 92’.
Atlético Madrid consolidated third spot with a 3-0 victory over Elche on Saturday evening. Simeone’s side were looking to bounce back after their midweek Champions League defeat, and although Adrián González gave the home fans an early scare, from then on the locals were on top. Visiting keeper Tyton had to be at his best to save a couple of times from Raúl García, and Tiago, Fernando Torres and Griezmann all went close before Griezmann opened the scoring some ten minutes in to the second half, the French striker heading the ball back into the net after Tyton could only push out a shot from Koke. Soon afterwards Raúl García squeezed a long shot inside the near post, and with a quarter of an hour to go Griezmann got his second of the evening after Saúl Ñíguez set him up. Despite the defeat Fran Escribá’s side stay six points above the drop zone, although they may well be relegated anyway for financial reasons unless they can raise the funds necessary to settle their debts within the next few days.