Gutsy Eibar succumb to effective Atlético
Los Colchoneros ended the game calling for the final whistle
Eibar slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Atlético Madrid in an encounter in which the Armeros stood up and were counted, but were ultimately undone by the hosts' efficiency.
A 69th-minute Saúl Ñíguez strike sealed the spoils for Los Rojiblancos, who ended up calling for the final whistle as the Armeros pushed hard in search of an equaliser against the Champions League semi-finalists. This reverse puts paid to Eibar's hopes of sealing a seventh-placed finish.
José Luis Mendilibar's charges made a very bright start as the visitors succeeded in dictating the tempo, whilst the home side barely managed to make any inroads into Yoel's box.
As the minutes ticked by, Atleti began to make an attacking impression and carved out some chances, without ever dominating proceedings.
The second period followed a similar script, with a lot of the play concentrated in the middle third and little in the way of goalmouth action. In one of the hosts' forays forward, they broke the deadlock courtesy of a fine left-footed strike from Saúl which whistled into the corner of the net beyond the diving Yoel, who performed excellently throughout.
After having got their noses in front, Diego Simeone's troops sat back, looking to maintain their lead and catch Eibar on the counter.
Mendilibar's men weren't prepared to give up on the game and threw caution to the wind. The Armeros were now firmly on the front foot and this is how things remained until the final whistle.
In the 83rd minute, Gonzalo Escalante headed Pedro León's cross from the left goalwards, but Jan Oblak was on hand to make the save.
With the game now into injury time and 93 minutes on the clock, Sergi Enrich laid the ball off to David Juncà, whose fierce left-footed drive looked destined to salvage a point for the visitors until the ball struck Tiago and was diverted away.
The Armeros remain in eighth spot and head home satisfied after having put in a fine performance, but nevertheless disappointed that their efforts weren't rewarded with any points.