Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Atletico Madrid maintained its perfect start to the La Liga season on Sunday as Diego Costa bagged a brace in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo at the Vicente Calderon.
Costa had a tremendous opportunity to put Atletico in front when his side awarded a penalty kick in the 26th minute, but the 24-year-old failed to convert the ensuing attempt.
He made amends for his miss just before the halftime interval by opening the scoring in the 42nd minute and then continued his fine play by doubling Atletico's advantage in the 62nd minute.
Celta Vigo clawed its way back to within one thanks to Nolito's strike in the 71st, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.
Atletico remains level with Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table by improving to 24 points, though the Catalans hold the edge on goal difference.
Celta Vigo has lost three straight league contests to remain fifth from bottom on six points.
Sevilla 2, Almeria 1
Seville, Spain - Ivan Rakitic scored in the third minute of stoppage time to lift Sevilla to a 2-1 victory over Almeria at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday.
Kevin Gameiro and Rodri exchanged first-half goals, and just as it appeared that the two sides would share the spoils from a one-all draw, Rakitic struck deep into extra time to see Sevilla improve to nine points.
Almeria stays put at the foot of the La Liga table on three points.
Getafe 3, Real Betis 1
Getafe, Spain - Pedro Leon bagged a brace to lead Getafe to a 3-1 defeat of Real Betis at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday.
Getafe was three goals to the good inside the opening half-hour as Leon's goals in the 15th and 22nd minutes, as well as Adrian Colunga's strike in the 27th minute, put the home side in good stead for the remainder of the match.
The only sour note for Getafe came in the 51st minute when Rafa Lopez conceded an own goal, but it merely spoiled the clean sheet as the club went on to record its third straight league win.
Athletic Bilbao 1, Valencia 1
Bilbao, Spain - Ever Banega and Moreno Mikel Rico traded goals on opposite sides of halftime as Valencia and Athletic Bilbao shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at San Mames on Sunday.
Banega converted a penalty in the 43 minute to send Valencia into the dressing room with a slight edge, but Rico helped salvage a point for Bilbao with his equalizer 14 minutes from time.
The two sides remain level in the La Liga table by improving to 13 points.
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