Atlético Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann hit a second-half hat-trick as they came from behind to win 4-1 at Athletic Bilbao in a hard-fought La Liga clash last night.

Atlético showed the fighting spirit that won them the title last season as they came out on top after a Mikel Rico header had deservedly given the home side the lead in the 17th minute.

Griezmann nodded the equaliser straight after the break and seven minutes later Raul Garcia converted a penalty after Mikel San Jose was adjudged to have fouled Tiago Cardosa.

Griezmann then finished clinically following a breakaway after 73 minutes and tapped home from close range in the 80th from what looked an offside position to wrap up the victory.

The win leaves Atlético third in La Liga on 35 points, four behind leaders Real Madrid.

Earlier, in-form Luciano Vietto hit two second-half goals as Villarreal, down to 10 men for the final 10 minutes, cruised to a 3-0 home victory over Deportivo La Coruna to go fifth in La Liga.

Lionel Messi scored two late goals and Luis Suarez got his first in La Liga as Barcelona crushed struggling Cordoba 5-0 on Saturday to finish the year a point behind leaders Real Madrid.

Xavi came on as a second-half substitute in his 741st match for Barca, equalling the record of Real’s Raul for the number of games played for a single club in Spanish football.

In Italy, Felipe Anderson and Mateo Kovacic exchanged goals of real quality as Inter Milan fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with Lazio at San Siro last night.

Earlier Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini grabbed the equaliser in a 2-2 home draw with Udinese on Sunday that lifted his team up to fourth in Serie A.