Atletico extend lead after Real Madrid held at Elche

Barcelona, December 31

Luis Suarez led Atletico Madrid to a 1-0 victory over Getafe in the 500th game for coach Diego Simeone, extending their Spanish league lead after Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Elche.

The Uruguay striker used a powerful and precise header to send Yannick Carrasco’s lob from a free-kick into the lower corner of Getafe’s net in the 20th minute on Wednesday. It was Suarez’s eighth goal in the league this season since leaving Barcelona for one of their top rivals.

Atletico’s third win in a row left them two points above Madrid, who saw their five-game league winning streak end at Elche. Atletico also have two games in hand on Madrid.

Real Madrid looked ready to romp early in the match at promoted Elche. Marcelo had already hit the crossbar before Luka Modric put the defending champions ahead in the 20th. Madrid, however, failed to capitalise on their superior play for the rest of the first half, and a penalty plus some great saves by Badia ended up costing Zinedine Zidane’s side two points. — AP