Atletico Madrid too strong for Malaga

Atletico Madrid have clinched a 3-1 win over Malaga in a La Liga match at Vicente Calderon which saw both sides finish with 10 men.

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The Spanish champions looked lively from the start as Koke won a corner early on after Weligton had to deflect his shot behind.

Malaga could not avoid conceding from the resulting set piece though, as Tiago was on hand to head the ball in at the near post from a Koke delivery.

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Koke continued to look sharp, but it was Antoine Griezmann who doubled the home side's lead shortly before half time, tapping in from close range after a quick break from Arda Turan.

Gabi could have all but sealed the win for Atletico early in the second half when he was left unmarked in the box, but he could not turn a cross from Turan in.

Raul Jimenez also looked for the third goal for the hosts just after the hour mark, trying to head in from a Koke cross, but Idriss Carlos Kameni made the save.

It proved an important stop for Malaga as they got a goal back just three minutes later when Roque Santa Cruz blasted the ball into the roof of the net after a quick break from the visitors.

However, their hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Garcia Samuel picked up his second booking, leaving the visitors a man short for the final 10 minutes.

Atletico took advantage of the red card to restore their two-goal lead, when Tiago provided a through-ball for Diego Godin to head into an empty net.

The hosts also finished the match with 10 men as Gabi picked up his second yellow card two minutes from full time.