Antoine Griezmann scores hat-trick in stunning Atletico Madrid comeback

Antoine Griezmann scored a sensational second-half hat-trick as Atletico Madrid kept their Liga title defence alive with an incredible comeback at Athletic Bilbao.

The result moves Diego Simeone’s side to within four points of table-toppers Real Madrid, although with Athletic leading up until the break it looked like Atleti were on the brink of falling seven points adrift.

Mikel Rico gave the hosts a well-deserved lead, heading past Miguel Moya from a Markel Susaeta set-piece delivery, with Athletic passing up a number of opportunities as they dominated the opening 45 minutes.

But Atletico found an equaliser just 30 seconds into the second half, with Griezmann heading home from a pinpoint Juanfran cross into the penalty area.

The turning point in the contest proved to be the contentious award of a penalty kick to the away side, with Tiago going down under the challenge of Mikel San Jose. Raul Garcia stepped up to convert the spot kick and complete an eight-minute turnaround.

And Griezmann made sure of the win after 73 minutes, breaking in behind the Athletic backline to finish past Gorka Iraizoz with aplomb before the Frenchman capped his magnificent second half display with a hat-trick, although he looked to be offside when Garcia had his initial shot blocked.

17’ - GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 1 Atletico Madrid 0: The home side have taken the lead! Susaeta plays a wonderful set piece into the area for Rico to attack, with his header finding the net.

23’ - ATLETICO CHANCE: Atletico Madrid almost make the most of a defensive mix-up! Iraizoz comes off his line but nearly collides with Etxeita. However, Griezmann can't force the ball goalwards with the keeper missing.

39’ - ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITY: That was a chance for Athletic Bilbao to double their advantage! Aduriz breaks the offside trap and goes some way to rounding the keeper, but Siqueira comes across to make he last ditch block.

46’ - GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 1 Atletico Madrid 1: Incredible! Atletico have equalised 30 seconds into the second half! Griezmann heads home from a Juanfran cross.

55’ - GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 1 Atletico Madrid 2: What a turnaround by Atletico! Garcia sends Iraizoz the wrong way, giving his side a 2-1 lead less than 10 minutes after the restart.

72’ - GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 1 Atletico Madrid 3: And now the away side have a two-goal cushion! Griezmann gets in behind and finishes with aplomb.

82’ - GOAL! Athletic Bilbao 1 Atletico Madrid 4: And there's his hat-trick! Griezmann breaks through, plays it to Garcia and taps home from close range.

Antoine Griezmann has become the first French player to score a hat-trick in La Liga since Thierry Henry did against Valencia in 2008.

Griezmann also became the first player to score more than twice against Athletic in La Liga at the new San Mamés.

Markel Susaeta has now made 15 assists in 2014 (in all competitions), at least seven more than any other Athletic player.

Atletico Madrid keep their Liga defence alive, but only just. Had Simeone side’s not staged a remarkable second half comeback they would have fallen seven points behind Liga table-toppers Real Madrid, with the Galacticos still holding a game in hand over their rivals. Some claim that this season’s title might already be beyond Atletico, but this result kept whatever slim hopes they still have alive. They needed this result, and perhaps more importantly this performance.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid): For 45 minutes the French attacker looked out of place, playing in a position he wasn’t totally comfortable with. But whatever Simeone said to Griezmann at the break worked, and then some. He was a different player in the second half, not just scoring a hat-trick but chipping in wherever he could all over the pitch. He was a force of nature after the restart. This was the night that Griezmann finally arrived at Atletico Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz 5, Balenziaga 6, Etxeita 5, Gurpegi 6, De Marco 6, Rico 7, San Jose 5, Munian 7, Lopez 5, Susaeta 7, Aduriz 6. Subs: Guillermo 5, Gomez, Aketze.

Atletico Madrid: Moya 5, Siqueira 6, Godin 6, Gimenez 7, Juanfran 7, Tiago 5, Saul 6, Gabi 5, Turan 7, Garcia 6, Griezmann 9. Subs: Rodriguez N/A.