Falcao’s hat-trick gives Atletico huge European boost
— Colombia striker Radamel Falcao scored a hattrick and helped Atletico Madrid to their first away win of the season, in a 4-0 victory at Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.
Falcao, known as “El Tigre,” scored from the penalty spot, with a superb lob and wrapped up the scoring to earn Diego Simeone’s team the three points in an impressive display in San Sebastian.
The result left Atletico on the brink of the European places in La Liga in seventh with 26 points from 19 games, behind sixthplaced Athletic Bilbao on goal difference. The Basque side visit the Bernabeu to play leaders Real Madrid today.
Real, with 46 points, will be seeking to maintain their five-point lead over Barcelona ahead of next week’s King’s Cup quarter-final second leg between the sides at the Nou Camp. Second-placed Barca visit Malaga today.
Earlier, Espanyol climbed to fifth on 28 points with a 3-0 home win over Granada thanks to goals from Raul Baena, Joan Verdu from the penalty spot and Rui Fonte.
They were two points ahead of Bilbao, Atletico and Sevilla, who held on for a 1-1 draw in the city derby at Real Betis despite playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men.
Elsewhere, Getafe came from behind to beat struggling Racing Santander 2-1 away.
Atletico striker Falcao opened the scoring from the penalty spot after only two minutes at a rainsoaked Anoeta and Spanish youth international Adrian doubled the lead early in the second half.
Falcao saved his best until the 82nd minute, a lob from outside the area leaving home keeper Claudio Bravo stranded, and he notched his 14th of the campaign at the end from Koke’s pullback.
The first Seville derby in three years looked to be heading the way of promoted Betis when midfielder Benat curled a free kick over the wall in the 26th minute.
Sevilla drew level just before the break when striker Alvaro Negredo headed in from a Jesus Navas cross, and although they lost defender Federico Fazio to a harsh second yellow card in the 70th minute they held firm.