Felix twice sends Atletico to La Liga top four
Portugal youngster Joao Felix scored doubly Atletico Madrid moved in to the Champions League spots with a 5-0 La Liga thrashing of Osasuna on the subject of Wednesday.
Felix, 20, was making his first appearance because the Spanish top-flight returned from its coronavirus hiatus having been suspended for the weekend's pull in Athletic Bilbao and have been suffering from an ankle sprain since May.
"I felt good, returning from injury after 90 days without using and scoring two goals is very good for me personally," Felix told broadcaster Movistar.
The northerners stay in 11th after the defeat with an outside chance of building the Europa League but are also 10 points away from the relegation zone.
The hosts' coach Jagoba Arrasate was without captain Oier and Adrian Lopez who scored the equaliser at high-flying Real Sociedad, who can return back above Atltetico on Thursday with a win at Alaves.
The visitors' coach Diego Simeone made four changes from Sunday's meet in Bilbao including handing Felix, who joined the medial side from Benfica for 126 million euros ($141 million) previous summer, a start alongside Diego Costa in attack.
Felix will go back to the Portugese capital found in August due to UEFA announced the Champions League might be completed in Lisbon with a 'last eight' structure after Atleti knocked holders Liverpool out of the competition in March.
Left-back Renan Lodi had the very best of the early chances as his whipped effort on the eighth minute was direct at goalkeeper Ruben Martinez.
Costa's claims for a penalty where ignored regardless of the ex - Chelsea striker complaining he previously been held back in wanting to reach Lodi's effort.
Felix opened the scoring 20 minutes later after Lodi found space again down the left flank.
Lodi played the ball back to Saul Niguez found in the package, his shot was deflected to Felix's route who smashed the ball to the very best corner.
The hosts' best potential for an equaliser came six minutes before the break but David Garcia's long-range shot could sole hit the advertising boards.
Felix doubled his account 10 minutes in to the second half.
Costa was fed the ball found in the region and he squared it to Felix who side-footed home with convenience for his eighth aim of the campaign in all competitions.
Felix was substituted on the 69-minute mark while Simeone sent on positioning midfielder Thomas Partey, who has been linked with a proceed to Arsenal.
Despite Felix leaving the field his side ensured of three points as Marcos Llorente, Alvaro Morata and Yannick Carrasco scored in the ultimate 11 minutes.
The aside side's Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak became the first non-Spaniard to attain 100 La Liga clean sheets along with his performance.
Atleti host True Valladolid on Saturday and Osasuna happen to be Valencia on Sunday.
