Atlético's footbore gets them through

Atlético de Madrid mathematically qualified for the last sixteen of the Europa League having beaten Hapoel Tel Aviv by the narrowest of margins. The Mattress Makers, by far the superior team in the opening minutes, let things slip away after Raúl García's early goal in the 7th minute.
The Madrid team slowed the pace more than it should have, allowing Hapoel to believe it could take something away from the Calderón stadium. Atlético will now vie with Viktoria Pilsen in the Czech Republic for the group's top spot.
Atlético notched up its tenth consecutive win in official games on home turf, where it has not conceded a point in any competition since 2nd May, when it drew against Real Sociedad. Since then, the team has won all its matches both in the championship and the European competitions.
Moreover, Simeon was overseeing his fiftieth game as the Atlético coach with his charismatic drive and indisputable results, having transformed the clubs fortunes and the hopes of its supporters, accustomed as they were until not long ago to falling into a resigned and deep depression with the approach of each Christmas. It has accumulated thirty five wins, eight draws and seven defeats. Two of the victories have brought two brilliantly won European titles. Tonight's victory, albeit important, was however, not a great show of Atleti's footballing prowess.