The China Mail - Alvarez bags penalty double as Atletico beat Valladolid

Coach Diego Simeone's son Giuliano and Alexander Sorloth were also on target as the Rojiblancos moved back within seven points of league leaders Barcelona.

Atletico, third, also trail rivals Real Madrid by three points and still hold onto slender hopes of winning the title.

Valladolid, without a win in 12 matches, gave Atletico a more uncomfortable evening than they would have imagined or hoped for.

The visitors took the lead through a Mamadou Sylla penalty after Clement Lenglet handled a corner kick as he went to head it clear.

However the hosts were quickly level with a penalty of their own after Javi Sanchez fouled Simeone.

Alvarez, who controversially had a penalty ruled out for supposedly touching the ball twice against Real Madrid as his team were knocked out of the Champions League, converted it.

Two minutes later Simeone sent Atletico ahead, surging inside from the right and blasting home after Pablo Barrios sent a ball over the top for him.

Atletico were dominant but could not add to their lead and Lenglet allowed Valladolid back in with a foul outside his area.

Sanchez took the free-kick and it deflected off Conor Gallagher's shoulder in the wall past the helpless Jan Oblak.

Atletico were handed a chance to reclaim the lead when Marcos Llorente turned into the box and was clumsily brought down by Henrique.

Alvarez tucked home the game's third spot kick, sending Andre Ferreira the wrong way.

It was his 14th league goal of the season and 26th across all competitions after joining from Manchester City last summer.

Sorloth wrapped up Atletico's win with another goal off the bench, as has been his penchant this season, mopping up after Ferreira saved an Alvarez effort.

Defeat leaves Valladolid 14 points from safety with seven games remaining, and their fate will likely be sealed by the end of the month.

J.Thompson--ThChM