Goals from Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez have given Atletico Madrid a 2-0 half-time lead away at Cordoba.
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It took just five minutes for the visitors to take the lead at Nuevo Arcangel when Griezmann took advantage of a lapse in concentration from Bruno Zuculini before breaking clear and applying a composed finish past Juan Carlos.
Moments later, Atletico almost found a second through Diego Godin, but his header from a Koke cross went straight into the grateful hands of Carlos.
Cordoba looked a threat on the counter-attack, but their final ball was letting them down and Jose Gimenez almost capitalised when heading wide from another Koke delivery.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, Griezmann was unfortunate not to make it 2-0 after seeing a shot blocked by Jose Angel Crespo, but six minutes before half time, Diego Simeone's side doubled their lead.
After Mandzukic won a header from a throw, Saul Niguez nipped in to head past Carlos to give his side a comfortable advantage at the break.
Darren Plant
