Atletico Madrid preserved their chances in the four-way fight for the Spanish La Liga title with a tough win over struggling Elche with the help of luck.
The win came with a clean goal, after the home team missed a penalty in stoppage time.
Marcos Llorente scored the only goal with a reversal shot in the 23rd minute, but gave a penalty kick in the 90th minute after touching the ball with his hand during Atletico’s defense of the narrow lead at the top.
Elche midfielder Fidel Chubbies took the penalty, but the ball hit the post, leaving Diego Simeone’s side alive in the summit race while Elche remained in 18th.
With this victory, Atletico raised its score to 76 points four games before the end, five points behind second-placed Real Madrid, who host Osasuna later today, and third-placed Barcelona, who visit Valencia on Sunday.