Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said Fernando Torres made the difference for the reigning La Liga champions in their 1-0 win over Villarreal on Wednesday.
Torres had scored against both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey since his 18-month loan move from Milan in January, but had scored just once in the league so far.
However, the former Chelsea man doubled his La Liga tally for the season against Villarreal, firing in the winner at El Madrigal to help Atletico consolidate third spot.
“It was an important match for the team in which we started very well,” Simeone was quoted as saying on Atletico’s website.
“I saw the team was strong, with chances to hurt them. The key was to persist.
“Fernando finished extraordinarily well, with impressive calmness and coldness.
“We needed it, he needed it and we are all happy for the team, first, and obviously for Fernando.
“We benefited from that particular moment where Fernando finished with quality to decide a game that was open with two teams looking for gaps at the front.”