Griezmann nets 100th goal in La Liga as Atleti beat Espanyol

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Getty Images

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Antoine Griezmann kept Atletico Madrid focused on a strong finish in La Liga on Saturday despite their looming Champions League semifinal with Real Madrid.

Griezmann struck late in the second half at Espanyol to earn a 1-0 victory that kept Atletico in third place, three points ahead of Sevilla, and on course for a return to Europe's top competition next season.

Atletico moved within four points of second-place Barcelona, who visit leaders Real Madrid on Sunday trailing the pacesetters by three points. Real also have a game in hand as they try to win the domestic title for the first time since 2012.

On Friday, Atletico and Real were drawn to face each other for a third time in four seasons in the Champions League. Real won the other two meetings in the finals of 2014 and 2016.

While Atletico have two league matches against Villarreal and at Las Palmas over the next week, their hopes for silverware rest squarely on their European clash with Madrid beginning on May 2 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

At Espanyol, manager Diego Simeone made only one change in his starting 11 from the team that drew at Leicester on Tuesday to advance in the Champions League by a 2-1 aggregate score.

His side, however, showed little signs of weariness against an Espanyol that have won four straight at home.

Griezmann decided the contest in Barcelona -- dominated by both defences -- in the 73rd minute when he needed just one touch from his left boot to volley home a rebound of a strike by Saul Niguez that came off a defender.

The goal was his team-leading 16th in the league and 25th overall this season. It was also his 100th goal in Spain's top flight, with countryman Karim Benzema (124) the only other Frenchman to break the century mark.

"We knew we would have a difficult time against a team that is so good at home," Griezmann said. "But we tried until the end and then held on."