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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga
Mar 29, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

1-2

Muniain (6')
Laporte (86')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Costa (22'), Koke (55')

Atletico Madrid recover to see off Athletic Bilbao

Atletico Madrid defeat Athletic Bilbao to top the La Liga table.

Atletico Madrid have come from a goal down to defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at San Mames to regain top spot in La Liga.

Atletico Madrid's players celebrate their second goal during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on March 29, 2014© Getty Images

Bilbao took the lead with just six minutes on the clock through Iker Muniain, who lifted his effort over the onrushing Thibaut Courtois after being played in by Mikel San Jose.

Diego Costa almost levelled the match shortly after, but he was unable to beat Gorka Iraizoz when in a one-on-one situation, with the Lions' keeper making a fine save.

Costa did find a way past Iraizoz on 22 minutes, however, collecting a loose pass from Ander Iturraspe and finishing into the bottom corner.

It could have been even better for Atletico ahead of the interval when Filipe Luis combined with Costa before finding Raul Garcia at the back post, but he put his effort high and wide.

Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa scores past Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on March 29, 2014© Getty Images

Costa very nearly doubled his tally three minutes into the second half, but he failed to find the target when picked out by Koke.

Bilbao should have made the visitors pay for their missed opportunities when Oscar de Marcos was gifted a chance from close range, but he fired over the crossbar.

It proved costly as Atletico completed their turnaround courtesy of Koke after 56 minutes, with the midfielder converting a cross into the box from Luis to make it 2-1.

Ernesto Valverde's side had a penalty appeal turned down with 10 minutes remaining following Arda Turan's challenge on Gaizka Toquero, with the referee waving away strong appeals.

Courtois was forced into an important save to ensure that Los Colchoneros left San Mames with all three points, clawing Aritz Aduriz's header wide of the post from close range.

Bilbao were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages following Aymeric Laporte's dismissal, and Atletico held out for the victory which takes them back to the summit.

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Atletico Madrid's Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa scores past Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz during the Spanish league football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on March 29, 2014
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1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011


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