La Liga wrap: Llorente braceleads Bilbao to victory

Fernando Llorente’s brace helped Athletic Bilbao defeat Atletico Madrid 3-0 in La Liga, while Espanyol beat Real Betis 1-0.

Jose Antonio and Filipe Luis both had chances to open the scoring for visitors Atletico in Thursday’s match at Estadio San Mames.

Llorente had Bilbao’s first sight of goal 22 minutes in, but sent his shot over the crossbar.

And Oscar De Marcos drew a good save from Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois six minutes before the break.

Following a goalless first half, it took until the 67th minute to finally break the deadlock, when Llorente ran on to Markel Susaeta’s forward pass, before beating Courtois with a low shot.

It was 2-0 just four minutes later, with Spain striker Llorente headed home a cross from substitute Gaizka Toquero.

The introduction of Toquero proved influential; the forward completed the scoring with 15 minutes remaining, converting a delivery from fellow substitute Ander Herrera to seal victory.

The win lifts Bilbao up to eighth place with 12 points from nine matches played, while Atletico are two points worse off in 10th.

Also on Thursday, Espanyol edged Real Betis 1-0 at Estadio Cornella El Prat.

After being unable to convert a promising start into chances, hosts Espanyol had to rely on goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez to remain on level terms.

The Argentine kept out shots from Benat Etxebarria, Jose Canas and Roque Santa Cruz to send the teams in at half-time locked at 0-0.

Alvaro Vazquez was guilty of three misses in front of goal early in the second half for Espanyol, side-footing the pick of them wide of the post from close range just past the hour mark.

The 20-year-old was hauled off on 69 minutes, replaced by Walter Pandiani, a man 15 years his senior.

And the veteran striker made a decisive impact, crashing home what proved to be the winning goal with a header from Didac’s cross on 75 minutes.

The victory lifts Espanyol sixth, inside the Europa League qualification places, and just three points off the Champions League berths.