Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Griezmann celebrates landmark strike

Antoine Griezmann fired Atletico Madrid to a valuable 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and reached 100 LaLiga goals for the club in the process.

Atletico announced on Monday that Griezmann's loan return from Barcelona was being made permanent, and the France forward marked his first league appearance since with a composed second-half finish.

Alvaro Morata had earlier been denied an opener by a VAR review, but Griezmann's effort proved enough for coach Diego Simeone's men during a typically disciplined display. Athletic rightly had a late penalty award overturned.

The victory sees Atletico leapfrog their hosts into third place in LaLiga, trailing Barcelona and Real Madrid by three points ahead of Sunday's Clasico.

Inaki Williams headed over the crossbar when left unmarked from an early free-kick, and only a VAR review prevented Athletic from being punished for that miss after 10 minutes.

Morata appeared to have taken advantage of a slip from Yeray Alvarez before rounding Unai Simon to score, but on second viewing the referee ruled the Spain striker was guilty of a foul, much to Atletico's frustration.

Simeone's visitors failed to register a single shot between Morata's disallowed strike and half-time, but they hit the front within two minutes of the restart when Griezmann side-footed Morata's cut-back into the bottom-right corner.

Griezmann then miscued a volley after finding space at the back post, before injured goalkeeper Jan Oblak was replaced by Ivo Grbic in an apparent blow to Atletico's hopes.

Atleti were indebted to their substitute goalkeeper, however, when he made a spectacular save from Inigo Martinez's header. The visitors then survived late drama when a penalty was awarded for handball against Reinildo, with a VAR check showing the referee called that incorrectly, the ball having struck the defender's face.

What does it mean? Atleti make top-four statement

Saturday's trip to San Mames promised to offer a genuine test of Atletico's credentials; Athletic approached the match having lost one of their first eight league games of the season for just the second time this century (also 2021-22).

Atletico struggled to make any headway in the attacking third before the break, but they never looked likely to be pegged back following Griezmann's cool finish. Simeone's team have now won three successive league games for the first time since April (when they brought up a run of six), with the hosts failing to find a way past their solid 4-4-2 shape.

Griezmann haunts old rivals

Having started his career with fellow Basque outfit Real Sociedad, Griezmann is always sure to enjoy a goal against Athletic. However, Saturday's strike, his 100th for Atletico in LaLiga, will mean more than most.

Griezmann has now been involved in 16 goals against Athletic in LaLiga (10 goals, six assists), more than he has achieved against any other team in the competition.

The World Cup winner is also just the sixth player to hit a century of league goals for Atleti, and after agreeing to stay in the Spanish capital until 2026, he will hope there are many more to come.

Simeone has Valverde's number

Former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has done a fine job since taking over at Athletic, but a meeting with old nemesis Simeone proved a bridge too far for his side.

Valverde has now suffered seven defeats against Simeone in LaLiga, a tally of losses against a single coach only matched in his meetings with Joaquin Caparros.

What's next?

Atletico host neighbours Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Tuesday, while Athletic go to Getafe on the same day.