Atletico eye Champions League as Getafe stumble again

Madrid, Spain: Atletico Madrid boosted their Champions League push on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Valladolid which moved them into third place in La Liga.

A goal from substitute Vitolo with nine minutes remaining gave Diego Simeone’s side the three points.

They now have 52 points and a four-point edge over Getafe in their Champions League pursuit after winning for the first time behind closed doors at their Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Vitolo had come on as a substitute after 73 minutes for Marcos Llorente and grabbed the winner with a header from a corner after  Valladolid keeper Juan Antonio Caro had failed to clear.

 Espanyol were beaten 3-1 at home by Levante, a blow to their morale after they resumed with an impressive win over Alaves and hard-fought draw against Getafe. 

Espanyol stay bottom, three points adrift of safety. 

Athletic Bilbao climbed to ninth after Inigo Martinez’s flicked finish was enough to beat Real Betis 1-0. 

Betis’ Sergio Canales missed an 85th-minute penalty in the defeat, which leaves coach Rubi on the brink of the sack.