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Half-Time Report: Koke earns half-time advantage for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid are on course for second spot in La Liga after taking a 1-0 lead over Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Atletico Madrid have claimed a 1-0 half-time lead over Real Betis thanks to Koke's early strike at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

The visitors needed less than seven minutes to break the deadlock as Koke kept a calm head in the box to slot home after Antonio Adan had kept out a powerful strike from Fernando Torres.

Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Betis Balompie vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on November 22, 2015© Getty Images

Betis responded with an extended spell on top after the setback, but Atletico remained in control and almost doubled their lead when Antoine Griezmann volleyed over from a Torres flick.

Diego Simeone's side looked happy to operate on the counter as they protected their slender lead, with Betis only creating half chances such as the one which fell to Bruno, who sent a header over the crossbar.

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Betis' forward Ruben Castro heads the ball past Rijeka's defender Niko Datkovic during the UEFA Europa League Group I football match Real Betis Balompie vs HNK Rijeka at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on December 12, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia1826101728-1112
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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