Spanish La Liga
Result: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Deportivo Alaves
Date: 16 December 2017
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid maintained their unbeaten run in La Liga after defeating Deportivo Alaves thanks to a second-half strike from Fernando Torres.
Alaves looked promising in the opening exchanges although they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.
Atletico had to wait until the 13th minute for their first opening as Saul Niguez forced Manu Garcia into a fine save from distance.
Diego Simeone's charges enjoyed a lion's share of the possession in the first half, but they were finding it tough to carve out chances.
In the 36th minute, Alaves went close to breaking the deadlock as Munir El Haddadi peeled away from his marker and sent a header just wide of the upright.
That proved to be the final chance of the half as the sides went into the break goalless.
Diego Simeone opted for a change at the start of the second half as Thomas Partey made way for Angel Correa.
The second half continued in the same fashion as the first with Atletico dominating without creating clear-cut openings.
With 20 minutes remaining in the second half, Simeone introduced Fernando Torres for Saul as they pushed for a winning goal.
The change paid off for the home side as Torres found the back of the net with a fine volley from close range in the 74th minute, 1-0.
Alaves looked for a way back into the clash but they were unable to bypass the Atletico defence as the hosts held on for three points.
