Atletico Madrid travelled to Sevilla in La Liga hoping to reduce Barcelona's 10-point advantage at the top of the table with a win.
Inspired by a hattrick from Antoine Griezmann, Diego Simeone's side won the match 5-2 to consolidate their position in second place.
Goals from Diego Costa and Griezmann put them two up at the break, before the Frenchman added another two in the second period, one of which came from the penalty spot.
Koke was also on target for Atleti, while Sevilla netted late consolations through Pablo Sarabia and Nolito.
Find out how all the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute text updates below.
Good evening and welcome to our live text coverage of the La Liga meeting between Sevilla and Atletico Madrid at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. This should be a cracker of a contest between two sides with ambitions at the business end of the table. Team news incoming...
SEVILLA XI: Rico, Lenglet, Mercado, Escudero, Navas, Vazquez, Banega, N'Zonzi, Muriel, Correa, Sarabia
Subs: Carrico, Pizarro, Layun, Ben Yedder, Nolito, Mesa, Soria
ATLETCO XI: Oblak, Godin, Gimenez, Luis, Vrsaljko, Gabi, Thomas, Koke, Niguez, Costa, Griezmann
Subs: Torres, Moya, Juanfran, Gameiro, Vitolo, Correa, Montoro
Let's start with Sevilla, and they will be looking to Luis Muriel to serve as their goal threat, while Ever Banega should provide the ammunition from midfield. Vincenzo Montella almost had a full-strength squad to choose from, with only Franco Vazquez suspended and Simon Kjaer and Sebastien Corchia still out injured.
Joaquin Correa, Franco Vazquez and Pablo Sarabia, who all started Sevilla's Champions League clash with Manchester United in midweek, will add further support for the danger man Muriel in the final third.
Over to Atletico, and the big news for them is the return of the big guns to the starting XI. Both Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa are back to lead the attack after sitting out the midweek Europa League meeting with FC Copenhagen.
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It's an attacking lineup for the visitors, who have just one absentee in the shape of injured centre-back Stefan Savic. Thomas, Koke and Saul Niguez will provide creativity in the middle of the park and could potentially boss the midfield tonight.
It's time to take a look at both sides' recent form, and we'll start with the hosts.
Sevilla have a decent home record this season, having lost just once on this ground in La Liga. Their record at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjaun Stadium is seven wins, three draws and one loss.
Going back even further, Vincenzo Montella's side have lost just one home league match in 15 months and should provide a stern test for Atletico tonight.
That said, inconsistency set in for the hosts around 10 games ago, after a strong start to the season. They won just three times during that period.
A stuttering defence is the reason for their recent struggles, with Montella's men conceding more than two goals on six occasions this season.
Sevilla have, however, steadied the ship of late and are in search of their third La Liga win in a row this evening. They also pushed Manchester United to their limits in the Champions League in midweek, with the Red Devils needing a blinding performance from David de Gea to escape Spain with a 0-0 draw.
Over to Diego Simeone's Atletico, and they have the best defence in La Liga, conceding just nine goals all season.
A big part of their success at the back is down to goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who has been in blinding form all season. He has let in just one goal in his last seven La Liga outings.
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Incredibly, Atletico are still undefeated on the road in the league. Their away record so far consists of eight wins and four draws, so it should be interesting to see them travel to a side with only one home defeat on the board so far this season. An unstoppable force meets an immovable object springs to mind.
Diego Simeone's visitors are on a run of seven straight games without defeat in the league, and their watertight defence is what has inspired that run. As impressive as they have been at the back, they haven't been especially prolific going forward.
Atletico have scored three or more goals only three times this season. For comparison, title rivals Barcelona have scored that number 10 times this season already, including yesterday's 6-1 demolition of Girona.
Here's a reminder of how the two teams stack up in the league table ahead of kickoff - Atletico are second and can reduce Barcelona's lead at the top of the division to seven points with a victory, while Sevilla are sixth with the chance to move up to fifth.
This is a vital game for both sides. Atletico still have slender title hopes to maintain, while Sevilla are very much in the chase for a top-four spot.
It's time to take a look at the head-to-head record these teams share, and there's plenty of recent data to crunch given that they have played each other three times already this season. Once in the league and twice in a two-legged cup tie.
The reverse version of this fixture took place in late September, and Atletico rolled out 2-0 winners. Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann found the net that day. The former is not involved tonight as his Atleti future hangs in the balance while a mooted move to the Chinese Super League is negotiated.
Sevilla got their revenge on Atletico by dumping them out the Copa del Rey 5-2 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage. They won both games of the two-legged tie, triumphing 2-1 away and 3-1 at home to book their place in the last four.
In the last five meetings between these two teams, Sevilla have a marginally better record. They have beaten Atletico three times, while Simeone's men have triumphed twice. Three or more goals is not uncommon in this fixture and none of those five games have finished 0-0.
Although they tend to score against one another, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid aren't exactly two of La Liga's most prolific sides. No player in either of their squads has netted more than eight La Liga goals this season.
SPORTS MOLE SAYS: Taking recent for into account, I can see Sevilla holding Atletico to a 1-1 draw tonight. They've weathered the storm in recent weeks and are incredibly tough to beat on this ground. Atletico are yet to slip up on the road this season and I don't see that changing this evening, but the hosts have enough quality in their ranks to take something from the game.
There were four other matches in La Liga today, and here's how they finished:
Villarreal 1-0 Getafe
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Malaga
Valencia 2-1 Real Sociedad
Those wins for Villarreal and Valencia will be of interest to Sevilla fans, as the former is in fifth and the latter in fourth. A win this evening will see the hosts leapfrog Villarreal and move within seven points of Valencia.
Yesterday's resounding 6-1 win for Barcelona over Girona is a result which has put Atleti under pressure to win tonight. As things stand, they're the Catalan giants' only credible title rivals, but they won't be credible for much longer if they drop many more points.
The atmosphere inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium is absolutely incredible. Both sets of supporters are singing their hearts out right now, but who will be the happier 90 minutes or so from now? It's certainly a tough one to call.
There's a minute's silence before kickoff in honour of the police officer who lost his life in the wake of Athletic Bilbao vs. Spartak Moscow in the Europa League.
KICKOFF! The match is underway here at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Half-chance for the visitors as Koke cuts inside from wide on the left and goes for goal from distance, but Rico is able to get down and make a comfortable stop.
CHANCE! Joaquin Correa threads a through-ball to Luis Muriel and he's away! Jan Oblak comes out to meet him and makes a great reaction stop at close range, but the Colombian striker will feel that he should have done better. Correa curls the follow-up wide.
It's been a blistering start to the match and the home side has edged possession. Sevilla are passing the ball around at a frenetic pace, targeting both flanks as well as searching for a way through the middle.
Muriel goes on a run in the final third, drifts wide towards the left channel and floats a cross into the box. Partey makes a vital interception and deflects the ball away from the onrushing Vazquez.
Sevilla continue to ask questions of Atletico as Sarabia swings a cross into the box and Joaquin Correa meets it with a glancing header, but it drifts over the bar by a good few inches.
Filipe Luis picks out the run of Koke wide on the left. He attempts to play a low cross into the box, but Banega tracks back and intercepts, conceding the game's first corner. Griezmann swings that corner deep into the box, but Sergio Rico meets it with a strong fist and punches clear.
The hosts stage a counter-attack moments after Griezmann's corner is hoisted clear. Sarabia leads the charge and aims to pick out the run of Muriel, only for the move to break down when the linesman's flag goes up. Atletico have a chance to regroup now.
Griezmann gains possession deep in the Sevilla half, but a sea of defenders closes in on him, crowding out the Frenchman and dispossessing him. Great awareness and teamwork from the home side's rear guard there.
SUBSTITUTION: There's a big blow for Sevilla as Jesus Navas has gone off injured with what looks like a calf problem. Recent signing Miguel Layun has replaced him in the makeshift right-back position.
Jose Gimenez plays a long searching ball into the danger zone, only for it to land straight at the feet of Correa, who attempts to kickstart a blistering break, but the move breaks down before it can even begin.
Just over 20 minutes played here at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and clear-cut chances have been at a premium. The closest either side have come to scoring was when Muriel was denied by Oblak from close range in the third minute.
Atletico Madrid have started to settle into this match now and have been seeing more of the ball these past few minutes. Koke sails a cross into the centre of the penalty area as they pile men forward, but Escudero is on hand to nod the ball clear.
Gabi and Koke exchange passes well, though the move grinds to a halt when the latter fails to release Vrsaljko along the right channel, sloppily misplacing his pass.
The match has become a stop-start affair of late, with the referee blowing for fouls left and right. Not much in the way of goalmouth action to report, although Gabi has just had a pop from inside the final third, putting his effort into the stand.
BOOKING! Diego Costa receives the first yellow card of the match for pushing Lenglet to the ground during a 50-50 challenge.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Diego Costa)
Incredible! Mere seconds after going into the book, Costa fires Atletico in front seconds after play restarts. The former Chelsea man took advantage of slack defending from the hosts, cut inside the penalty area and rifled a low shot beyond Rico into the bottom corner. That came out of nowhere!
BOOKING! Correa goes into the book for simulation. He went head to head with Costa and dived under the Spain international's challenge, going down far too easily. The correct decision by the official.
After a quiet start to the evening, Costa is suddenly involved in every talking point of this match. His finish a few minutes ago was cool as you like, a real poacher's goal, but Sevilla's defending was calamitous.
OFF THE BAR! Sevilla come close to drawing level as Banega in-swinging corner finds the head of Lenglet in front of goal, the defender's header clipping the top of the crossbar on its way behind.
Sevilla face a real uphill struggle to get back into this one. Their mission is to unpick a defence that has shipped just once goal in seven matches, and then beat one of the world's best goalkeepers in Jan Oblak. Good luck with that!
SHOT! Costa is given far too much time and space as he surges into the box, leaving Layun behind in his dust. The former Chelsea man shoots from an acute angle, forcing Rico to get down quickly to make a comfortable stop.
A misplaced pass from Correa allows Atletico to break again. They ping a long ball forward to Costa, but the home side's defence does a better job of closing the big striker down on this occasion.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-2 Atletico Madrid (Antoine Griezmann)
OOF! Pick that one out! Antoine Griezmann doubles Atletico's lead with an absolute screamer from his right boot. The Frenchman latches onto Lenglet's headed clearance on the edge of penalty area, takes a touch and lets fly, leaving Rico grasping at air as the ball finds the top corner.
With Atletico's defensive record, you have to fancy them to see this game out now.
There will be a minimum of one minute's stoppage time in the first half.
HALF TIME: Sevilla 0-2 Atletico Madrid
Goals from Costa and Griezmann have given Atletico Madrid a two-goal advantage at Sevilla at half time, and they're now odds-on to take maximum points from this fixture.
Diego Simeone's side don't concede many, although Sevilla are the only team in La Liga to score more than one against Atleti in the league this term.
They could really use a goal early in the second period and will need to come out swinging. They have extra firepower on the bench in the shape of Nolito and Wissam Ben Yedder. Will we see either of those introduced at the interval?
Simeone will be looking for a more of the same from his charges and is unlikely to tinker with this team too much. That said, he has plenty of experience among his subs, with the likes of Fernando Torres, Miguel Angel Moya, Juanfran and Kevin Gameiro in reserve.
ACTION SHOT! Here are the scenes moments after Costa fired the visitors in front.
🔥⚽️ @diegocosta & @AntoGriezmann ⚽️🔥#SevillaFCAtleti pic.twitter.com/JaFvpNeKKT
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) February 25, 2018
As things stand, Atletico are seven points behind table-topping Barcelona. Obviously the Catalans are still clear favourites for the title, but Simeone's men are pushing them all the way.
The two teams are back out for the second half now. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates.
KICKOFF! The match is back underway. No changes on either side for the second half.
Costa and Saul exchange passes and the latter slides a low cross towards the centre of the Sevilla area. Lenglet is on hand in front of goal to scramble the ball clear.
BOOKING! The first half is just two minutes old and we've already had another booking. Gimenez slides in hard on N'Zonzi and earns a yellow for what was an overzealous challenge.
It's been a pacy start to the second period, but there have been no shots on goal yet.
PENALTY! Costa wins a penalty after racing into the area and taking the ball away from Rico, forcing the goalkeeper to bring him down!
GOAL! Sevilla 0-3 Atletico Madrid (Antoine Griezmann, pen)
Griezmann steps up and smashes the penalty kick into the bottom corner, sending Rico the wrong way. That should be game, set and match now.
Interestingly, that was the first penalty Atletico have won in La Liga this season. What's more, they had missed their last five on the bounce before Griezmann cooly stepped up and found the back of the net from 12 yards.
Good defending from Mercado, who slides in and steals the ball from Costa's feet after Filipe Luis attempted to release the Spain international along the left channel.
ACTION SHOT! Here's Griezmann's reaction after he netted his second of the night from the penalty spot.
🎙🎶 @AntoGriezmann hitting the high notes! ⚽️⚽️#SevillaFCAtleti pic.twitter.com/N3Tk4nv3bF — LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) February 25, 2018
There's a break in play as Godin collides with Vazquez, leaving the Sevilla man on the deck in some discomfort. The home fans react angrily to the challenge, but Vazquez is back on his feet moments later, ready to soldier on.
Atleti's latest attempt at a counter-attack breaks down as Lenglet stands his ground against Saul, dispossessing the midfield and hoisting the ball forward into the opposition's half. Lenglet has had a decent game tonight, even though his side's defending on the whole has been questionable.
SUBSTITUTION: Joaquin Correa is withdrawn and Sevilla throw on an extra attacker in Ben Yedder. The only thing surprising about that is that Montella has waited until now to do it. Surely that change should have been made at half time?
Brave defending from Vrsaljko keeps out Layun's goal-bound effort, deflecting it behind for a corner, which Sevilla squander. The ball eventually finds its way back to Muriel in the final third, who attempts to square a pass to Ben Yedder, but Gimenez reacts quickly to make the interception.
SUBSTITUITION: Angel Correa replaces Partey for the away side.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-4 Atletico Madrid (Koke)
More awful, awful defending from the hosts gifts Atleti goal number three. A woeful backpass by Mercado sends Griezmann through on goal and the Frenchman attempts to round the onrushing Rico. He squares the ball to Koke after the keeper commits, gifting his teammate a tap-in.
OFF THE POST! Saul's pass along the left flank picks out the run of Griezmann, who shoots first time, beating Rico but not the woodwork. The Atleti striker was just a lick of paint away from a deserved hattrick there.
SHOT! It's all Atletico Madrid now. They come powering forward again with Angel Correa leading the charge wide on the right. He races mazily into the penalty area, but is forced to shoot from a tight angle. Rico palms the ball behind for an Atleti corner.
Vazquez goes into the book for a late challenge and is substituted moments later, making way for former Manchester City forward Nolito. Moments later, Atleti bring on Vitolo for Koke. He enters the field of play to a chorus of boos, which is standard for a former Sevilla player under these circumstances.
Atleti are restricting Sevilla to shooting from long range now. N'Zonzi is the latest player to try his luck, letting fly from the edge of the box. Oblak effortlessly saves the shot.
Atletico have been pedestrian these past few minutes. They're giving off the impression that they feel it's job done, but Simeone will be keen for them to hold out for a clean sheet and maintain that impeccable defensive record.
SUBSTITUTION: Kevin Gameiro comes on to replace Diego Costa, who has looked tired these past few moments.
WIDE! A blistering Atletico break ends with Griezmann crossing into the penalty area from a deep position on the right and Vitolo meeting it with a volley at the back post, but the winger scuffs his shot and sends it hurtling wide.
SAVE! Oblak hasn't had a great deal to do in the second period, but he pulls off a decent save to deny Banega with 10 minutes of the match remaining. The Sevilla man surged forward, going it alone, and got a shot away, his effort deflecting off Gimenez before the Atleti keeper safely smothers it.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-5 Atletico Madrid (Antoine Griezmann)
This is getting embarrassing now. Not just the scoreline, but the ease with which Atletico are putting these goals away. Saul powers down the left flank and dances into the box virtually unchallenged, before squaring a pass to Griezmann in front of goal, gifting the striker a tap-in and a hattrick.
The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium has fallen silent and the home fans are leaving the ground in droves, not that you can blame them. This has been an inept defensive display from them.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-5 Atletico Madrid (Pablo Sarabia)
The hosts have pulled one back, not that it counts for much, and it was Atletico Madrid's turn to demonstrate how not to defend. Poor marking allows Ben Yedder far too much space inside the box, giving him the chance to square pass to Sarabia, who scrambles the ball over the line from close range.
Griezmann and Gameiro exchange passes in the Sevilla box, before Filipe Luis arrives in support, but he's crowded out before he can get a shot away.
GOAL! Sevilla 2-5 Atletico Madrid (Nolito)
Sevilla have pulled another one back, and Oblak will be disappointed have been beaten so easily at his near post. Escudero picks out Nolito from outside the box and the Spaniard powers a first-time shot into the back of the net. Could there be a fightback on the cards? It would be the most miraculous comeback in the history of football if they found another three goals from somewhere.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time to play.
FULL TIME: Sevilla 2-5 Atletico Madrid
Atletico will be disappointed to concede two late goals here, but they've otherwise been flawless at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and have given Sevilla a footballing lesson. It finishes 5-2 and Atleti move within seven points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. That's all we have time for tonight. Be sure to check back in with Sports Mole for live coverage of this season's biggest upcoming La Liga games. Thanks for reading.
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
