La Liga round-up: Forlán treble put Atlético in the Champions League orbit

Updated: 24 May, 2009 • 0 • min read

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Diego Forlán bagged a hat-trick in Atlético Madrid's 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao to move the Rojiblancos just one point away to a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

The victory means Atlético have control of their own destiny and will be back in the Champions League next season if they can avoid defeat at home to Almería in their final game.

After a goalless first half, the game suddenly burst into life with four goals in 15 minutes around the hour mark.

The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Raúl García received the ball on the edge of the area and struck an unstoppable left-footed volley into the bottom corner.

Xabier Etxeita brought the home side level nine minutes later, heading home at the near post from a corner.

Forlán put Atlético back in front on 73 minutes as he placed a shot past Gorka Iraizoz from the edge of the area after the ball had run loose when Sergio Agüero was challenged by two Athletic defenders.

Then five minutes later the Uruguayan hitman drilled a wonderful left footed drive across goal on the counter to seal the three points.

But there was still time for Forlán to complete his hat-trick as he won a penalty and stepped up to convert it with three minutes left on the clock.

Athletic Bilbao