Saul Niguez Takes Atletico Madrid Fourth With Late Villarreal Winner

Saul Niguez slotted home an 87th minute winner to help Atletico Madrid to a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Monday, taking his team fourth in La Liga. Diego Simeone's side capitalised on Athletic Bilbao's defeat by La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Sunday to move back into the Champions League qualification places, even if they left it late. Axel Witsel nodded Atletico ahead after nine minutes but Alexander Sorloth pegged back the visitors soon after half-time of an entertaining clash.

Substitute Saul decided an even game in the final stages less than five minutes after coming on.

Atletico moved two points clear of Athletic with eight matches remaining, still trailing third-place Girona by seven points.

"(Saul) entered the game well and scored a great goal," Simeone told Movistar.