Soccer-Atletico return to winning ways with 2-1 victory over Betis

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v Real Betis - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 3, 2024 Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo Riquelme in action with Real Betis' German Pezzella REUTERS/Juan Medina

MADRID (Reuters) -Atletico Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Real Betis in LaLiga on Sunday thanks to an own-goal by Rui Silva and a header by Alvaro Morata as Diego Simeone's side ended a three-game winless run in all competitions.

The hosts came into the match licking their wounds after a humbling 3-0 defeat in the Copa del Rey semis at Athletic Bilbao in midweek, and in desperate need of a win to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot in LaLiga.