La Liga: Saul takes Atletico Madrid fourth with late Villarreal winner

Saul Niguez slotted home an 87th minute winner to help Atletico Madrid to a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Monday, taking his team fourth in La Liga.

Saul Niguez slotted home an 87th minute winner to help Atletico Madrid to a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Monday, taking his team fourth in La Liga.

Diego Simeone’s side capitalised on Athletic Bilbao’s defeat by La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Sunday to move back into the Champions League qualification places, even if they left it late.

Axel Witsel nodded Atletico Madrid ahead after nine minutes but Alexander Sorloth pegged back the visitors soon after half-time of an entertaining clash, before Saul decided the game in the final stages.

Atletico Madrid moved two points clear of Athletic with eight matches remaining, still trailing third-place Girona by seven points.

Witsel drew first blood with a fine header from Rodrigo Riquelme’s corner, twisting his body to meet the ball at the near post and direct it looping home at the far.

The 35-year-old Belgian had only scored once before for Atletico Madrid, also against Villarreal last November.

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Sorloth pulled Villarreal level five minutes into the second half with an accurate low finish from the edge of the box.

Angel Correa flashed a shot narrowly off target and Alvaro Morata fired straight at Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, albeit from a wide angle, as Atletico Madrid scrambled to go back in front.

Jan Oblak saved a low deflected effort from Yerson Mosquera at the other end, with the game opening up.

Eventually Saul stroked home from the edge of the box and although Atletico had to nervously wait out a VAR check for a possible offside, the goal was given.

Villarreal came close to levelling deep in stoppage time when Bertrand Traore’s cross evaded everyone and flew just past Oblak’s far post.