Atletico Madrid 4-2 Valencia: Falcao and Adrian run riot as Diego Simeone's side makes significant step towards Europa League final

Posted Friday, April 20, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Atletico Madrid has one foot into the final of the Europa League after dominating Valencia in the semifinal first leg on Thursday at Vicente Calderon, winning 4-2.

Two goals early in the second half set the sides apart after the visitors drew level late in the first half, but Diego Simeone's men managed to create numerous more chances and blow past their La Liga rivals, who found a late goal to keep things interesting.

In the first 10 minutes, the home side had little trouble invading the Los Che box, firing two dangerous efforts at Diego Alves, who stopped Diego and Adrian Lopez with fine saves.

Seven minutes later, Alves couldn't do it again. Radamel Falcao found the net with a simple header from close after Adil Rami could not stop Arda Turan, who beat the France defender at the bye-line with his quickness, sending a ball that hit Jordi Alba before finding the head of the Colombian, who finished with ease.

With the match appearing to head into the break at 1-0, Valencia struck. Off a corner Rami made contact, heading the ball down to the right post, with Jonas there to tap it in, sending the away fans into a frenzy.

The home fans would get their chance to celebrate again in the 48th minute off a set piece, as poor defending saw a free kick from Diego find Miranda inside the heart of the box, where the Brazilian headed past Alves with a confident touch.

It took just six minutes for the team's third, as Adrian, who took the ball from Mehmet Topal, blew by Victor Ruiz on a long run from the middle of the pitch before firing from the right side of the box into the left side of the net, bagging his seventh goal of the competition.

Atletico almost registered its fourth with 25 minutes remaining, with Adrian firing a powerful effort from outside the box that was saved low by Alves, with Turan hitting the rebound on goal, but Alves was again there to stop the effort and prevent the visitors from more embarrassment.

The visitors got their final goal on 77 minutes after a fine solo effort from Falcao saw the former Porto man carve up Ruiz and Jeremy Mathieu at the corner of the box, before cutting towards the top and drilling the ball into the upper-right corner, before Ricardo Costa headed home a late cross inside the box in added time, to retain hope.

Both teams will return to league action at the weekend, with Atletico taking on Espanyol and Valencia facing Betis, before next Thursday's second leg from Mestalla.