Football: Llorente’s double sinks Atletico

MADRID: A brace from Fernando Llorente set in-form Athletic Bilbao up for a 3-0 win over a dejected Atletico Madrid. The home side controlled the game but Atletico had moments of danger on the counter-attack. Llorente made the breakthrough for Bilbao after 68 minutes with a deflected shot that found the net. He scored again minutes later with a powerful header and then substitute Gaizka Toquero added a third also with his head. Elsewhere, a header from substitute Walter Pandiani gave Espanyol a 1-0 victory over struggling Real Betis, who have now lost their last five games on the trot.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2011.