La Liga wrap: Turan brace guides Atletico, Bilbao win

Atletico Madrid tuned up for Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Valencia with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Espanyol in La Liga.

Arda Turan scored a brace after defender, and team-mate, Diego Godin’s opener and Didac’s equaliser for Espanyol.

Godin latched onto Diego’s cross in the ninth minute to head home but the lead did not last long with Didac’s left-footed shot finding the net 10 minutes later.

With scores locked at 1-1, Turkish international Turan turned it on with two goals in two minutes to make sure of the points for Atletico.

Diego Simeone’s side now turn their attentions to Valencia as they look to protect their 4-2 first-leg lead.

Athletic Bilbao won 1-0 at Racing Santander ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg with Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.

Gaizka Toquero’s 12th-minute finish from close range was all that separated the sides and lifted Bilbao back into the European places.

The loss was a dire one for Santander who are now 11 points from safety with only four games to play.

Granada moved a step closer to safety with a 1-0 win at home to Getafe – their first in four games – to break eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Real Sociedad and Villarreal shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Anoeta.

Villarreal looked to have sealed a vital three points before Carlos Vela’s equaliser four minutes from time meant they are six rather than eight points clear of the drop.