Antoine Griezmann struck early in the second half to earn Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, moving above their opponents into third place in LaLiga on Saturday.
After a first half of very few chances, Atletico took the lead through Griezmann in the 47th minute when the forward received a neat pass from Alvaro Morata and sent a low first-time shot past goalkeeper Unai Simon.
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"The team did a great job. We ran, defended and attacked together, we did well today," Griezmann said. "We did against Club Brugge too but with a bit of luck today [the ball] went in, it was a great game for everyone, those who came on too because it's difficult to come into a game like that. It's an incredible stadium, a great atmosphere, you suffer but when you win, it's the best."
Morata earlier thought he had scored after 10 minutes only for the referee to rule it out for a foul in the build-up after a VAR review, the Spain striker having netted from tight angle.
On Morata's disallowed goal, Griezmann said: "I don't understand it at all. The referee must have seen something obvious, if the VAR intervened. On the pitch we didn't see anything. But you have to survive, work hard and fight."
Atletico moved to 19 points from nine games, overhauling Bilbao who slipped to fourth on 17 points.
Leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid, both on 22 points, face each other in the Clasico at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Information from ESPN's Alex Kirkland contributed to this report.
