Match ends, Athletic Club 1, Atlético de Madrid 4.
Spanish champions Atletico Madrid ended a remarkable 2014 on a high as France forward Antoine Griezmann scored his first La Liga hat-trick in victory at Athletic Bilbao.
Atletico, who ended Barcelona and Real Madrid's duopoly to win last season's La Liga title for the first time since 1996, trailed to Mikel Rico's thumping header from a left-wing corner.
Atletico, last season's Champions League runners-up, showed little attacking threat in a first half in which Rico's goal was the only effort on target.
The Atletico fightback began just 29 seconds into the second half when Griezmann headed in Juanfran's cross.
They led when Raul Garcia coolly converted a controversial penalty, after former Chelsea midfielder Tiago tumbled despite there appearing to be little contact from Mikel San Jose.
Griezmann struck the third with a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area, before tapping in while stood in an offside position.
Victory lifted Diego Simeone's side to within four points of leaders Real Madrid, who are one point ahead of Barcelona with a game in hand over both sides.
The Spanish top flight now enters its winter break, with clubs returning to action on 3 January.
Line-ups
Ath Bilbao
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Iraizoz
- 10De Marcos
- 18Gurpegi
- 16Etxeita
- 24BalenziagaSubstituted forGómezat 79'minutes
- 6San JoséBooked at 52mins
- 17Rico Moreno
- 14SusaetaSubstituted forAketxeat 84'minutes
- 29López CabreraSubstituted forFernández Hierroat 68'minutes
- 19MuniainBooked at 68mins
- 20AdurizBooked at 25mins
Substitutes
- 5Morán
- 7Etxebarria Urkiaga
- 11Gómez
- 12Bustinza Martínez
- 13Herrerín Buisán
- 22Fernández Hierro
- 23Aketxe
Atl Madrid
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Moyá Rumbo
- 20Torres Belén
- 24Giménez de VargasBooked at 74mins
- 2Godín
- 3SiqueiraSubstituted forHernándezat 88'minutes
- 5Cardoso Mendes
- 8Garcia Escudero
- 14Fernández ArenasBooked at 89mins
- 17SaúlSubstituted forRodríguezat 80'minutes
- 10TuranBooked at 75minsSubstituted forGámezat 84'minutes
- 7GriezmannBooked at 28mins
Substitutes
- 4Suárez
- 11Jiménez
- 13Oblak
- 18Gámez
- 21Rodríguez
- 28Hernández
- 36Keita
- Referee:
- Alejandro José Hernández Hernández
- Attendance:
- 46,500
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home4
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away4
- Corners
- Home3
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Athletic Club 1, Atlético de Madrid 4.
Post update
Foul by Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club).
Post update
Tiago (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Diego Godín (Atlético de Madrid) because of an injury.
Booking
Gabi (Atlético de Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Xabier Etxeita (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Dangerous play by Gabi (Atlético de Madrid).
Substitution
Substitution, Atlético de Madrid. Lucas Hernández replaces Guillherme Siqueira because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Guillherme Siqueira (Atlético de Madrid) because of an injury.
Post update
Offside, Atlético de Madrid. Gabi tries a through ball, but Antoine Griezmann is caught offside.
Post update
Carlos Gurpegi (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Cristian Rodríguez (Atlético de Madrid).
Post update
Foul by Óscar De Marcos (Athletic Club).
Post update
Guillherme Siqueira (Atlético de Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Guillermo (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Guillherme Siqueira (Atlético de Madrid).
Substitution
Substitution, Athletic Club. Ager Aketxe replaces Markel Susaeta.