La Liga: Osasuna 0 Atletico Madrid 1

Atletico Madrid continued their revival under Diego Simeone after a narrow 1-0 victory over fellow European challengers Osasuna.

The visitors had an unlikely hero in the form of Diego Godin, who netted the only goal at Reyno de Navarra on Monday.

Hosts Osasuna had Francisco Punal orchestrating the early proceedings but neither goalkeeper was forced into action until after the first quarter, with Adrian and Radamel Falcao linking up for Atletico only for the latter to force a tidy save from Andres.

Osasuna seemed content with attacking on the counter, but young Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois was a virtual spectator in the first period.

The game’s only goal came after full-back Felipe went on a trademark run, allowing defender Godin to provide a poacher’s finish on the goal line, reacting first after an initial attempt from team-mate Falcao.

The Colombian and his strike partner, Adrian, linked up well again in the second half as Atletico almost doubled their lead.

Visiting custodian Courtois was much the busier in the second half, pulling off a fine selection of saves.

Raul Garcia almost beat Courtois after a wonderful ball in from Roland Lamah, but the Belgian youngster pulled off a fine stop to keep the sides a goal apart.

Atletico’s third-straight league win sees them leapfrog Osasuna into seventh in the standings.