- Nicolás Gaitán (8')
Nicolas Gaitan's early goal enough for Atletico Madrid to win
Nicolas Gaitan scored in the eighth minute to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at home over Real Betis on Saturday.
The Argentina international turned in a cross from Sime Vrsaljko's cross that was awkwardly deflected by Betis' Ryan Donk.
Antoine Griezmann nearly added a second goal soon after but could not keep his shot an target.
Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan then did well to cut out another Vrsaljko cross with Fernando Torres waiting to score.
The visitors tested Atletico keeper Miguel Angel Moya in the second half, but he was up to the task and Diego Simeone's men held on to secure the three points.
The victory was fourth-placed Atletico's third straight in La Liga and moved them to within six points of Real Madrid.
Real Betis stayed in 14th place with the loss, their fourth consecutive in away matches.
Game Information
Spanish LALIGA Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 32 | 25 | 6 | 1 | +48 | 81 |
| Barcelona | 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | +27 | 70 |
| Girona | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | +27 | 68 |
| Atlético Madrid | 32 | 19 | 4 | 9 | +21 | 61 |
| Athletic Club | 32 | 16 | 10 | 6 | +22 | 58 |
| Real Sociedad | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | +12 | 51 |
| Real Betis | 32 | 12 | 12 | 8 | +2 | 48 |
| Valencia | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | +1 | 47 |
| Villarreal | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | -4 | 42 |
| Getafe | 32 | 9 | 13 | 10 | -6 | 40 |
| Osasuna | 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 39 |
| Sevilla | 32 | 9 | 10 | 13 | -4 | 37 |
| Las Palmas | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | -9 | 37 |
| Alavés | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | -10 | 35 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 32 | 7 | 13 | 12 | -12 | 34 |
| Mallorca | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | -12 | 31 |
| Celta Vigo | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | -10 | 31 |
| Cádiz | 32 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -23 | 25 |
| Granada | 32 | 3 | 9 | 20 | -28 | 18 |
| Almería | 32 | 1 | 11 | 20 | -33 | 14 |
LALIGA News