Fernando Torres scores winner for Atletico Madrid at Villarreal

Fernando Torres scored a winner for Atletico Madrid against Villarreal 15 minutes from time, boosting Diego Simeone’s side chances of clinching La Liga’s third place.

The defending Liga champions struggled throughout at El Madrigal, with the Yellow Submarine going toe-to-toe with Atletico Madrid. However, there was a lack of genuine quality in the final third from both teams - with a mistake ultimately deciding the game.

Eric Bailly was caught in possession by Torres, who rounded Sergio Asenjo and evaded the tackles of two Villarreal defenders to finish into the gaping net - securing a narrow 1-0 win over Villarreal at El Madrigal.

Asenjo suffered a horrific ankle injury with less than 10 minutes left to play, landing awkwardly after jumping to collect a cross. The Argentine goalkeeper was healthy enough to walk off the pitch, but was replaced by Juan Carlos.

14’ - SPOT KICK CALL: Should that have been a penalty kick? Mandzukic and Griezmann exchange passes inside the penalty area, with the Frenchman going down under the challenge of Jokic. But the referee shakes his head.

15’ - ASENJO SAVE: Griezmann gets a shot away at goal from a tight angle! The French forward runs into the left channel to catch a through ball, but Asenjo is alert to the quick shot and makes the stop at his near post.

20’ - HEADER: That's the closest either team has come so far! Koke plays a cross into Turan, who flicks a header towards the far post. But with Asenjo completely beaten the ball bounces past the target.

34’ - OBLAK STOP: How on earth has that stayed out of the Atletico Madrid net? Oblak pulls off an incredible diving save down to his left to deny Ruiz. His header looked to be finding the net, but what a save!

72’ - NEEDED BLOCK: Godin needed to make that block! The ball breaks to Gomez just inside the Atletico Madrid box, with the youngster striking at the near post. But the defender sticks out a leg to make the block!

74’ - GOAL! Villarreal 0 Atletico Madrid 1: We finally have the breakthrough! Ballie makes a mistake, allowing Torres to run clean through on goal. He skips around the keeper and essentially walks the ball over the line, evading the challenge of two Villarreal defenders.

93’ - ONE LAST CHANCE: That was the chance for Villarreal! Jokic fizzes a cross into the penalty area, with Gaspar sliding in to make a connection. However, his effort flies over the crossbar. He should have hit the target.

With nine goals, Fernando Torres has scored more goals against Villarreal than any other La Liga team.

Jan Oblak has saved 14 of his 17 shots on target faced in La Liga for Atletico Madrid, giving him a save success rate of 82%.

Fernando Torres isn’t first-team at Atletico, but still has great worth. El Nino’s return to the Vicente Calderon hasn’t been as bombastic as the player himself might have liked, but Torres has still made an impact at Atletico Madrid since re-joining on loan from AC Milan. The 31-year-old has proved himself to be an effective option from the bench, and underlined that quality one again - making the most of Atletico’s only clear cut chance, showing great composure and instinct to round the goalkeeper and finish past two Villarreal defenders.

Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid): The Slovenian has had to watch from the sidelines for much of the season, as Miguel Angel Moya took hold of the number one shirt. However, with Moya injured Oblak has made the most of his opportunity and is now making a late claim for La Liga goalkeeper of the year. It was questioned how Atletico Madrid would replace Thibaut Courtois this season. It appears they now have two keepers to fill in for the Belgian.

Villarreal: Asenjo 6, Jokic 6, Ruiz 5, Bailly 4, Mario 6, Costa 7, Manu 5, Pina 6, Rukavina 4, Gerard 6, Campbell 7. Subs - Gomez 6, Sol, Carlos.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7, Gamez 6, Godin 6, Miranda 6, Juanfran 7, Koke 7, Tiago 6, Gabi 5, Turan 5, Griezmann 7, Mandzukic 5. Subs - Torres 7, Saul 6, Garcia 5.