Griezmann's stunner sees Atletico close gap on Sevilla

Madrid - Antoine Griezmann teed up Diego Godin's opener then struck a stunning free-kick as Atletico Madrid compounded a week for Sevilla to forget in a 3-1 win on Sunday.

Koke added Atletico's third before Joaquin Correa registered a consolation for Sevilla.

Sevilla was dumped out of the Champions League by Atletico's quarter-final opponent Leicester City on Wednesday and has seen its lead over Atletico in third place in La Liga now whittled down to two points.

A third straight league win moves Diego Simeone's men seven points clear of Real Sociedad and Villarreal in the battle for fourth.

And the Atletico fans also celebrated the return of Fernando Torres for the first time since he was knocked unconscious in a sickening head clash at Deportivo la Coruna on March 2.

Kevin Gameiro was handed a start ahead of Torres as the French international also returned from injury and was inches away from opening the scoring against his old club 13 minutes in.

Gameiro was played in by Yannick Carrasco's fine through ball, and his well-measured chip was turned onto the underside of the bar by Sergio Rico.

Key to Sevilla's 3-2 aggregate defeat to Leicester was the fact it missed a penalty in both legs.

Despite its awful record from the spot this season, the visitor claimed in vain for a penalty when Wissam Ben Yedder fell to the floor as he tried to round Jan Oblak.

Yet, in another familiar failing from its defeat in England, Sevilla conceded the opener from a set-piece as Griezmann's clipped free-kick found Godin unmarked to power a header past Rico eight minutes before half-time.

Atletico had a series of chances to make the game safe at the start of the second period.

Firstly, Griezmann fired into the side-netting after a brilliant team move tore the Sevilla defence apart.

Rico then rushed from his line to smother the ball as Gameiro bore down on goal.

However, Atletico finally doubled its advantage in spectacular style just after the hour mark as Griezmann crashed a free-kick in off the underside of the bar for his 22nd goal of the season.

The home fans then got the moment they wanted as Torres was handed a hero's welcome as he replaced Gameiro.