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Half-Time Report: Koke earns half-time advantage for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid are on course for second spot in La Liga after taking a 1-0 lead over Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Atletico Madrid have claimed a 1-0 half-time lead over Real Betis thanks to Koke's early strike at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

The visitors needed less than seven minutes to break the deadlock as Koke kept a calm head in the box to slot home after Antonio Adan had kept out a powerful strike from Fernando Torres.

Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Betis Balompie vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on November 22, 2015© Getty Images

Betis responded with an extended spell on top after the setback, but Atletico remained in control and almost doubled their lead when Antoine Griezmann volleyed over from a Torres flick.

Diego Simeone's side looked happy to operate on the counter as they protected their slender lead, with Betis only creating half chances such as the one which fell to Bruno, who sent a header over the crossbar.

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Betis' forward Ruben Castro heads the ball past Rijeka's defender Niko Datkovic during the UEFA Europa League Group I football match Real Betis Balompie vs HNK Rijeka at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on December 12, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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