Atletico Madrid beats Villarreal 3-0 in Spain

Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone won on his home debut Sunday as his new team beat Villarreal 3-0 in the Spanish league thanks to Radamel Falcao’s brace.

Falcao broke through for a dominant Atletico in the 40th minute at Vicente Calderon stadium by scoring from a pass by Adrian Lopez inside the six-yard box.

The Colombia striker scored his 11th league goal from the penalty spot in the 51st after Adrian played him through only for Gonzalo Rodriguez to foul him in the area.

Diego capped the win in the 80th, tapping in a cross from left back Filipe Luis.

“I received a great welcome (from the fans), this is a very special moment both personally and professionally,” said Simeone, a former Argentina midfielder who played for Atletico.

“We have to go forward slowly. We are still getting to know each other, (but) the players are open to everything we are asking of them.”

Villarreal, which managed just two shots to Atletico’s 20, remained in the relegation zone and is winless in its last 11 matches. The players have had two games under new coach Jose Molina.

“We have to improve in all facets,” said Molina, who played with Simeone for Atletico during the 1995-96 season when it won the league and Copa del Rey titles. The two former teammates were applauded by the fans before the match.

Elsewhere, Fernando Llorente scored his first goal since returning from injury in Athletic Bilbao’s 3-0 home win over Levante, and Racing Santander beat Osasuna 2-0 from a pair of spot kicks by striker Christian Stuani.

Levante showed scoring intent through forward Jose Barkero, but Bilbao center back Fernando Amorebieta’s header in the 11th put the hosts in front.

Llorente nodded in Oscar de Marcos’ cross at the far post in the 38th for the Spain striker’s first goal in three appearances after missing seven games because of pain in his left knee.

Mikel San Jose made it 3-0 late on after Levante’s Juanfran Garcia had been sent off for a second booking.

The win lifts Marcelo Bielsa’ team into fifth place, four points behind fourth-place Levante.

In Pamplona, Racing’s turnaround since the exit of coach Hector Cuper continued with its fifth straight game without a defeat.

Stuani converted penalties in the 38th and 71st after defender Damia Abella was penalized for handball and then for fouling Lautaro Acosta in the area. It was Osasuna’s first home loss of the season.

Barcelona hosts Real Betis later looking to stay in touch with leader Real Madrid ahead of their Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday, while Malaga visits Sporting Gijon.

Madrid came from behind to beat Mallorca 2-1 on Saturday, and third-place Valencia fell 1-0 at home to Real Sociedad,

Also, it was: Zaragoza 1, Getafe 1; Sevilla 0, Espanyol 0; and Granada 1, Rayo Vallecano 2.