Atletico Madrid have moved back into third place in La Liga with a 2-0 victory away at Cordoba.

Goals from Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez gave Atletico a half-time lead and, although Corboda improved after the break, they could not find the goals that would have earned them a deserved point.

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It took just five minutes for the visitors to take the lead at Nuevo Arcangel as Griezmann took advantage of a lapse in concentration from Bruno Zuculini before breaking clear and applying a composed finish past Juan Carlos.

Moments later, Atletico almost found a second through Diego Godin, but his header from a Koke cross went straight into the grateful hands of Carlos, before Jose Gimenez almost capitalised when heading wide from another Koke delivery.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, Griezmann was unfortunate not to make it 2-0 after seeing a shot blocked by Jose Angel Crespo, but, six minutes before half time, Diego Simeone's side doubled their lead when Saul nipped in to head home from close range.

Cordoba coach Jose Antonio Romero made two substitutions at the break, and, after 11 minutes of the second half, they almost paid off as Nabil Ghilas looked to have a clear opening inside the penalty area, only for Gimenez to get across and make a last-ditch intervention.

Soon afterwards, Fede Cartabia fired wide from a good position as Cordoba continued to probe, and the hosts struck the woodwork through a thunderous strike from Bebe on 78 minutes.

Atletico were struggling to get out of their own half, but, after Crespo had a header well kept out by Jan Oblak, the visitors saw out the remaining minutes to leave Cordoba seven points from safety.