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Half-Time Report: Koke earns half-time advantage for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid are on course for second spot in La Liga after taking a 1-0 lead over Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Atletico Madrid have claimed a 1-0 half-time lead over Real Betis thanks to Koke's early strike at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

The visitors needed less than seven minutes to break the deadlock as Koke kept a calm head in the box to slot home after Antonio Adan had kept out a powerful strike from Fernando Torres.

Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Betis Balompie vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on November 22, 2015© Getty Images

Betis responded with an extended spell on top after the setback, but Atletico remained in control and almost doubled their lead when Antoine Griezmann volleyed over from a Torres flick.

Diego Simeone's side looked happy to operate on the counter as they protected their slender lead, with Betis only creating half chances such as the one which fell to Bruno, who sent a header over the crossbar.

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Betis' forward Ruben Castro heads the ball past Rijeka's defender Niko Datkovic during the UEFA Europa League Group I football match Real Betis Balompie vs HNK Rijeka at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on December 12, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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