The Japan Times - Correa brace helps Atletico beat Cadiz with strong comeback

Diego Simeone's side were hit twice early on by the Andalucian minnows but dominated the game and triumphed thanks to an Angel Correa brace and Nahuel Molina's strike.

Atletico were on top from the start, with Antoine Griezmann striking the post and forcing a smart save from Jeremias Ledesma, before Lucas Pires sent the visitors ahead at the Metropolitano.

Brazilian winger Pires finished off Chris Ramos's excellent low cross to the far post, although Atletico were angry a foul was not given on Rodrigo Riquelme in the build-up.

Cadiz defender Fali came close to doubling his side's lead with a cheeky lob from inside his own half, which flew over Jan Oblak but also narrowly wide, to the goalkeeper's immense relief.

However shortly afterwards Roger Marti produced a special chipped finish to beat Oblak after a poor attempted header by Cesar Azpilicueta fell into his path.

The former Chelsea defender made amends by crossing for Correa to head home at the other end to start Atletico's comeback.

Molina drilled home after a rebound fell into his path at the start of the second half to level the game.

An Atletico winner seemed inevitable and eventually Argentina international Correa polished off a slick team move, turning home Saul Niguez's cutback after Samuel Lino nudged the ball into his path.

Simeone's side, who have played one fewer game than the teams above them and are three points behind third-place Girona.

Leaders Real Madrid beat the Catalan minnows on Saturday and are five points clear of Atletico, with champions Barcelona second after their win over Sevilla on Friday.

Elsewhere Real Betis earned an impressive 3-0 win at home against Valencia to move seventh.

Youngster Assane Diao, 18, scored for the second match running in his second game in the Spanish top flight.

Marc Roca and Ez Abde's strikes rounded out a solid win over Ruben Baraja's Los Che, who had started the season well and are ninth.

- Suarez salvo -

Earlier bottom-of-the-table Almeria threw away a three-goal lead earned by a five-minute Luis Suarez hat-trick in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Granada.

The hosts, under interim coach Alberto Lasarte after Vicente Moreno was sacked in the week, took control thanks to the Colombian striker's remarkable rapid-fire treble.

Suarez netted three goals all at the end of the first half, each set up by winger Largie Ramazani, in the space of five minutes and 24 seconds.

It was the third-fastest treble of the 21st century in La Liga -- Kevin Gameiro holds the record after he scored a hat-trick for Atletico Madrid in four minutes 43 seconds against Sporting Gijon in 2017.

Later Suarez was taken off injured, with Spanish reports saying he has sustained a shin fracture which could keep him out for three months.

Granada hit back through Bryan Zaragoza with a penalty, after his team-mate Antonio Puertas missed a spot kick earlier in the second half.

Ricard Sanchez and Myrto Uzuni completed the comeback for Granada, 19th, two points above winless Almeria.

Alaves lost 2-0 at home against mid-table Osasuna and are 16th, two points above the relegation zone.

H.Nakamura--JT