Football: Adrian hits vital Atletico winner

The win moves the club from the capital to within six points of Barca in second position.

MADRID: Substitute Adrian Lopez hit an important winner as Atletico Madrid beat Celta Vigo 1-0 on Friday to keep the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The win, Atletico’s ninth straight victory at home this season, moves the club from the capital to within six points of Barca in second position. Diego Godin, Diego Costa and Koke had all missed first half chances for the home team in a game they began controlling. However, a strong Celta performance after the interval meant the match was looking increasingly like a draw until Adrian came on for Costa on 72 minutes. Five minutes later he hit an unstoppable left-footed shot, his second goal in the league this season, from 25 yards to break the deadlock and earn Atletico three vital points.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2012.