R. Soriano has scored a goal for Villarreal! Assist by A. N'Diaye.
N'Diaye is fouled on the edge of the area, which turns into an unwitting assist for Soriano.
GOOOOOOOOAL! SORIANO MAKES IT 3-0! The Italian midfielder keeps his balance well inside the box, before firing home a low finish into the bottom-right corner. That wraps up the win nicely! N'Diaye is fouled on the edge of the box, but the referee plays advantage, allowing for Soriano to put the cherry on the cake.
90' +2
A. N'Diaye enters the game and replaces Manu Trigueros.
Trigueros takes his leave, with N'Diaye brought in for the last few minutes.
90' +1
There are four minutes of stoppage time, with Atletico looking very likely to drop down to sixth place.
90'
R. Borré enters the game and replaces N. Sansone.
Sansone is replaced for the dying stages, with Santos Borre getting some minutes against his parent club.
89'
Good save from Asenjo! Gameiro is found making tracks down the left-hand side, before a low shot forces the VIllarreal goalkeeper into action low down to his own left. That is an important stop, as the last thing that the hosts want is for Atletico to get a confidence boost.
87'
Griezmann finds Carrasco out on the left-hand side, but Victor Ruiz heads half-clear at the near post when the Belgian curls in a cross. Villarreal are happy to sit a bit deeper now, with Sansone and Trigueros the two players left up front. Moments later, Gameiro is the target of a cross from the opposite flank, but Alvaro nods clear.
85'
Saúl gets yellow.
Álvaro González gets yellow.
Jaume Costa fouls Koke, and Alvaro gets a booking. The central defender is rightfully bemused!
Saul gets a yellow card for challenging with his arm raised in an aerial battle with Alvaro.
84'
Villarreal are playing some excellent football, with Atletico appearing to be lacking the motivation to chase down lost causes. The home fans are showing their appreciation, as they are looking extremely good value for their 2-0 lead. Narrowly over five minutes remain in this contest.
82'
Gameiro goes down heavily, after being caught on his knee, but the France international gets back to his feet under his own steam. The referee has been very keen to let this game flow, and the vast majority of his decisions have worked out to be the right ones. Atletico win a deep free-kick, which is flicked into the penalty area by Lucas, but Asenjo gets out quickly to deny Godin.
80'
Asenjo is happy to take his time over his goal-kicks now, with Atletico having just 10 minutes to mount an unthinkable three-goal come-back. Trigueros tries to lift a cute through ball over the top for Dos Santos, but Savic makes a good clearance.
Minute
Description
79'
Rodri enters the game and replaces Alexandre Pato.
Rodri comes into the game for the dying stages, with Pato taking his leave. Escriba is clearly looking to shore up the midfield.
77'
Atletico win a free-kick on the left-hand side, which is curled into the penalty area by Carrasco, with a low delivery finding Griezmann. The Frenchman spins and tries to shoot, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner - which similarly comes to nothing. The visitors are running out of time.
75'
Lucas is found overlapping down the left-hand side, before Griezmann is able to slide a great, incisive pass into Gameiro. The former PSG man gets the ball out of his feet and looks to shoot from a tight angle, but Jaume Costa recovers brilliantly to make a sliding tackle. Atletico win a corner as a result, and it is hacked clear.
73'
Villarreal are defending deep when required, and they have managed to sit quite deep to good effect. Sansone and Pato have caused all kinds of problems on the counter, and in some ways it is like watching the old Atletico beat a confused shadow of themselves.
71'
We're into the final 20 minutes, and Atletico are edging their way towards a very disappointing result indeed. Asenjo has had almost nothing to do in this second half, save pressuring Gameiro into shooting wide in the first few minutes, with a curling Lucas cross from the left most recently being nodded to safety by Jaume Costa.
69'
Villarreal work the ball from left to right, with Pato found scampering in behind. The Brazil international manages thinks he has earned his side a corner, as Godin blocks a cross from the hosts' forward, but in actuality the rebound comes off Pato's shin and concedes a goal-kick. Moments later, Sansone tries to scamper into the box, but Savic makes a timely tackle.
67'
Gabi gets yellow.
Atletico win a corner, but it is quickly cleared, with Sansone trying to lead the counter-attack at pace down the left. Gabi comes across, fouls the ex-Sassuolo forward and picks up a booking for his trouble.
65'
Y. Carrasco enters the game and replaces Á. Correa.
Carrasco is thrown into the game, with Angel Correa replaced after a very disappointing performance from the Argentine wide man.
64'
Sansone manages to earn a free-kick from Juanfran on the left-hand side, which gives the home side a chance to load the box with bodies. Trigueros delivers, but a header from Alvaro is deflected behind well by Saul. The hosts are arguably looking the more likely to score the third goal of the game, as Dos Santos shoots over from distance.
62'
Griezmann sees a shot blocked by Trigueros, which earns Atletico a corner, but Dos Santos is able to help the delivery clear. Villarreal continue to defend well, with the visitors giving away poor passes all over the field. Simeone looks baffled on the touchline, as despite injecting Saul into the fray his midfield haven't become more competitive.
60'
Lucas is offered the chance to drive down the left-hand side and deliver a cross in from the byline, but Koke plays a terribly overhit pass behind for a goal-kick. The away side are really struggling to create anything, they don't look like their usual selves at all.
58'
Dos Santos wriggles his way forward, and then releases Pato down the left-hand side. The two combine, with the Mexican midfielder then racing to the left byline, but a poor touch from him lets the Villarreal attack down. The home side look confident, a comeback doesn't appear to be on the cards at the moment.
56'
Gameiro is picked out by a long ball over the top, but the Frenchman is caught offside, with Villarreal holding their line brilliantly throughout this game. Simeone is growing frustrated on the sideline, as his players aren't quite offering a united front on the pitch.
54'
Pato is tackled on the edge of the penalty area, after trying to turn and shoot once again, with Lucas covering across to slide in neatly. After a slow start to the second half, Villarreal are being urged on by their fans. They've already managed to pick up on a couple of stray passes from Atletico.
52'
Soriano is found in a pocket of space, and works a pass up to Pato. The Brazilian tries to spin on the edge of the box and beat Savic, but he is quickly mobbed by a few players in red and white. Atletico try to respond with an immediate counter-attack, but Mario does well to win a header over Griezmann.
50'
Correa tries to get in behind, after being released by a very hopeful long ball, but Asenjo is very quick off his line to race out and hoof a clearance upfield. Atletico have started this second half brightly, with the hosts happy to just settle down and try and feel out the atmosphere of the opening minutes.
48'
Good cross from the right-hand side from Atletico! Juanfran drives to the right byline and drills in a low delivery, which Gameiro challenges for at close-range. The Frenchman can only turn the ball wide of the target, with Asenjo left winded after colliding with his own defender. The physios come straight on.
46'
We are back underway in the second half at El Madrigal! Atletico need to find at least two goals from somewhere, if they are to take home a share of the spoils, and Simeone's men really can't afford to fall further behind in the battle for third place.
45' +2
J. dos Santos gets yellow.
Dos Santos now goes into the referee's book for a late tackle on Lucas, with the Atletico left-back really being in the wars during this first half of play.
45' +1
There are three minutes of first-half stoppage time, owing to Oblak's injury.
45'
Á. Correa gets yellow.
Correa is the second man to pick up a booking in the first half, with fouls breaking up the flow of play of late.
44'
Atletico try to mount some late pressure in this first half, but Villarreal are defending well. Whenever the away side give the ball away, Escriba's men are immediately ready to try and break forward at real pace. Sansone is the target of a lofted throughball, and Savic covers across to fire a clearance high into the stands. He is taking no chances.
42'
N. Sansone gets yellow.
Sansone picks up a yellow cardo for a late tackle on Koke, after coming across the Spaniard after the ball was long gone.
41'
Oblak is forced off with a suspected shoulder injury, with Moya making his first La Liga appearance as a result.
40'
Moyà enters the game and replaces J. Oblak.
39'
There is stoppage in play, as Oblak goes down needing treatment. The goalkeeper appears to have hurt is shoulder and is immediately escorted off. Moya is forced into a quick warm-up on the touchline. This is less than ideal for the away side!
38'
J. dos Santos has scored a goal for Villarreal!
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! DOS SANTOS MAKES IT 2-0! Bruno plays a great pass in behind the Atletico back line, with Dos Santos able to get into a goalscoring position after a cut-back from the left from Pato. The Mexican midfielder sees his first attempt from close-range blocked, but bundles a finish on the rebound home, after it kisses the post initially.
35'
Atletico try to threaten down the left-hand side, but Mario comes across to knock the ball into touch. Moments later, Lucas tries to make progress down the same flank, but the youngster is fouled once again. Another free-kick opportunity is wasted by the away side, however, as their delivery is fired right back in the direction that it came from.
33'
Narrowly over 10 minutes remain in this first half, with Villarreal continuing to try and play their own game and avoid the fact that they have gone 1-0 up against one of the league's best outfits. Given how tight this game has been, that Tiago mistake could be the game-defining moment.
31'
GOOD STOP! Griezmann is released down the right channel and darts into the penalty area, but the Frenchman can't squeeze a finish through the Villarreal shot-stopper's legs. It deflects off the Spaniard's boot and behind for a corner - which comes to nothing. Simeone sounds his appreciation on the touchline, that's better from their key man.
30'
Tiago's last contribution is that mistake, with the Portuguese midfielder replaced by the youthful presence of Saul.
29'
Saúl enters the game and replaces Tiago.
28'
Manu Trigueros has scored a goal for Villarreal!
GOOOOOOOOOAL! TRIGUEROS MAKES IT 1-0! He scored during the week, and he nets another important one tonight! The Villarreal midfielder pounces on a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, after a stray pass from Tiago, and he holds his nerve to direct a low finish into the bottom-left corner!
27'
Pato goes down holding his ankle, after being stepped on by Juanfran, but the Brazilian striker is back to his feet quickly. Moments later, Trigueros is felled by a sliding tackle from Griezmann, but the referee opts to not take any serious action. The visitors are committing a lot of very niggly fouls.
25'
Gamiero plays a neat pass off to Gabi, with the Atletico captain sweeping a pass out to the left-hand side. The away side work the ball from left to right, with Gameiro found in space again in the right channel, but shoots over the crossbar from a tight angle! Asenjo had his angles covered easily.
23'
Villarreal try to break down the right-hand side, but Lucas comes out to tackle Dos Santos neatly. The hosts are dominating the ball, but Atletico have managed to snuff out a lot of their attacks before they get into dangerous areas. Escriba will be pleased with how his players are staying on the front foot, but a breakthrough goal isn't looking likely.
21'
The visitors play some lovely one-touch stuff, which finds Griezmann on the edge of the area, but the France international is unable to unleash a shot from 20 yards out. Finally, after some nervous play in the opening stages, Los Colchoneros are growing in confidence. This is becoming a very open game indeed.
19'
Atletico threaten from a corner on the right-hand side, which results in a goalsmouth scramble, with the loose ball fired onto the post by Koke. That is a bit better from the away side! Simeone is looking very animated on the touchline, as he knows that Los Colchoneros need to lift their performance level here. Gabi sees a shot blocked by Bruno.
17'
Sergio Asenjo has had nothing to do so far in this game, with Savic making the only real save of the opening 20 minutes. Villarreal have started the better of the two sides, but chances are proving hard to come by. Gameiro is picked out in a pocket of space, before feeding Correa down the right, with the young Argentine stinging Asenjo's palms at the near post.
15'
Pato is given possession in a pocket of space, before spinning off and driving towards the edge of the penalty area. The ex-Milan striker takes aim, but can only thump a powerful effort straight at Oblak. Atletico respond with a break down the left, and Lucas picks up a free-kick, but Gabi's eventual delivery is nodded clear.
13'
Mario clips a cross into the penalty area from the right-hand side, but Atletico manage to clear their lines eventually. Villarreal keep their pressure on, with a punch from Oblak finding the figure of Dos Santos, but the Mexican midfielder's first-time volley is deflected wide of the target by Savic!
11'
Clear-cut chances have been few and far between so far, with both defences coming out on top. Villarreal should be able to hurt Atleti, given that Carrasco and Griezmann are pushing up high to press, leaving Juanfran one-on-one in behind. The Spain international tries to bend a cross in from an advanced position on the right, but Jaume Costa makes a good block.
9'
Atletico just can't seem to piece together any dangerous attacks at the moment, with Villarreal dominating possession. Pato jinks infield from the left and takes a tumble, but the referee again lets play continue. The official has been very lenient so far in this game, he's reluctant to break up the flow of the game.
7'
Soriano drifts infield from the left-hand side and dances into the penalty area, before going down and claiming for a penalty. The referee isn't interested, however. Moments later, the Italian lines up a shot from 30 yards out, but drills a powerful shot just wide of the right-hand upright. That wasn't too far away!
5'
Mario and Jaume Costa both almost give the ball away deep within their own half, but Tiago and Gameiro fail to capitalise on the opportunities to snatch it. The away side are happy to sit back and absorb a bit of early pressure, with their midfield four sat quite deep.
3'
Gameiro is released in behind, but Alvaro comes across brilliantly to cover and deny the ex-PSG striker a chance to work a shooting angle. This game has started at a really frenetic pace, with Sansone then trying to scamper down the left. Juanfran manages to tackle the ex-Sassuolo man eventually, however.
1'
We are underway in the first half! Atletico need to win tonight in order to try and keep pace with the top three, but Villarreal have been in good form this season and should provide a tough test for the visitors. This should be an interesting one!
TEAM NEWS: Mateo Musacchio misses out due to a hamstring problem for Villarreal, with Alvaro filling in at centre-back. Alexandre Pato comes in up front, replacing Cedric Bakambu, but otherwise the hosts are unchanged from the team that defeated Steaua last week. Jonathan Dos Santos continues to deputise for the injured Samu Castillejo on the right-hand side, with Bakambu absent too. Quite a few youngsters are on the bench for the hosts tonight.
Atleti have lost two of their last three away games in the Spanish top-flight, falling to defeats against Sevilla and Real Sociedad respectively. Los Colchoneros can take some encouragement from Alaves' away trip against Villarreal last week, however, as the newly promoted outfit secured a 2-0 win for themselves in unexpected fashion. Previously, Fran Escriba's men were on a five-game winning streak at El Madrigal, but now they have to rebuild that impressive record from scratch.
Villarreal will be high on confidence after edging into the knockout stages of the Europa League last Thursday, courtesy of a gorgeous chip from Manu Trigueros against Steaua Bucharest. In the league, the Yellow Submarine have been chugging along nicely, and can leapfrog Atletico in fifth-place should they beat said opponent this evening on home soil.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Atletico Madrid's tough away trip to El Madrigal, as Diego Simeone's men bid to keep pace with Barcelona and the rest of the chasing pack in La Liga by beating Villarreal. Real Madrid currently lead the way, and Los Colchoneros can't afford to allow the gap to get any bigger, as they're already 12 points off their city rivals before a ball has been kicked tonight.
Villarreal starting line-up (4-4-2): Sergio Asenjo; Mario, Alvaro, Victor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Dos Santos, Trigueros, Bruno, Soriano; Sansone, Pato.
TEAM NEWS: Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro start up top for Atletico, as Simeone opts for an attacking line-up. Angel Correa gets a rare start out wide, with Tiago preferred to Saul Niguez in midfield. Lucas Hernandez continues at left-back in Filipe Luis' injury absence, with Stefan Savic chosen to partner Diego Godin ahead of Jose Gimenez. Danger man Yannick Carrasco is named on the bench.
HALF-TIME! Villarreal head into the break with a 2-0 lead, given to them by close-range finishes from Trigueros and Dos Santos. Atletico have already used two substitutes, with Tiago and Oblak coming off before the interval, which leaves the home side in total control ahead of the restart.
FULL-TIME! Villarreal sink Atletico by a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline at El Madrigal, with the away side dropping down to sixth place in the La Liga table. Goals from Trigueros, Dos Santos and Soriano were enough for Escriba's men, who leapfrog Los Colchoneros in the league table as a result. That is a huge result for the Yellow Submarine! That's all that we have time for, we hope to see you again next time.
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