Atletico need VAR and late Godin winner to beat Bilbao

Madrid, Spain: Diego Godin scored a 91st-minute winner as Atletico Madrid twice came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 in La Liga on Saturday. 

Godin's close-range finish was initially ruled out for offside at the Wanda Metropolitano but referee Jose Sanchez overturned the decision after consulting his video assistant referee. 

It proved a dramatic finale to a pulsating encounter, which Bilbao twice led thanks to two goals from Inaki Williams. A stunning long-range strike from Thomas Partey and Rodrigo's header 10 minutes from time, however, pulled Atletico level, before Godin snatched all three points. 

Victory means Diego Simeone's side move to within a point of Barcelona, who play at home to Real Betis on Sunday. Bilbao remain 17th, without a win since the opening day of the season. 

That run has, however, included draws against both Barca and Real Madrid, and for much of this contest they were the better side too. 

But after beating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, Atletico sustained momentum with a result made all the more impressive by their lengthy list of absentees. 

Godin and Diego Costa both returned from injury but 19-year-old Francisco Montero had to play alongside Godin in central defence, with Luis Hernandez, Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic all out, along with Thomas Lemar and Koke in midfield. 

Atletico started brightly enough as Antoine Griezmann picked out Filipe Luis at the back post and then nipped in behind but Bilbao never looked uncomfortable. 

They grew into the game. Susaeta fired wide, after Rodrigo carelessly conceded possession, and then instigated the goal, darting free of the sleeping Luis.