Villarreal beats Elche to stay level on points with 3rd-place Atletico in Spain as Getafe wins again

Villarreal beats Elche to stay level on points with 3rd-place Atletico in Spain as Getafe wins again

MADIRD: (Mar 9) (AP) Villarreal beat struggling Elche 2-1 to stay level on points with third-place Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

First-half goals from Canada striker Tajon Buchanan and Uruguay defender Santiago Mouriño put Villarreal in control, before former AC Milan striker André Silva pulled a late goal back for Elche.

Villarreal has 54 points but Atletico is ahead on goal difference. However, the victory moved Villarreal 11 points clear of fifth-place Real Betis, which lost 2-0 at Getafe.