By: AP & Reuters

France forward Antoine Griezmann netted a second-half hat-trick to help Atletico Madrid roar back for a 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, as Diego Simeone’s side pulled within four points of the lead in the Spanish league. Bilbao bossed the first 45 minutes at their New San Mames Stadium, not allowing Atletico a shot on goal while Mikel Rico headed in a free kick for the 17th-minute lead.

But Atletico emerged the more aggressive side from halftime, and Griezmann headed in Juanfran Torres’ cross to finish off a sublime team move started from kickoff after the restart. “Griezmann played a fabulous second half,” said Simeone. “He was the player we went after (to sign this summer).”

Raul Garcia put the titleholders ahead in the 53rd from the penalty spot after the referee ruled Mikel San Jose had tripped Tiago Cardoso in the area. Griezmann, starting for suspended striker Mario Mandzukic, then struck a decisive double blow with breakaway goals in the 73rd and 81st.

“We played a bad first half, but Simeone motivated us with his words and everything went better in the second half,” said Griezmann, who doubled his season goal tally in the league.

“We have a lot of confidence in his talents and we need him,” Simeone told reporters. “Hopefully, today’s game will be an important moment for him for his confidence and his work,” the Argentine added. “He has been working hard for a while and when it has been his turn to play he has done well.”

Griezmann, who said the performance had been his best since joining Atletico, moved to Sociedad at the age of 13 and after breaking into the first team helped the Basque club win promotion back to the top flight. His international career was set back by a suspension for disciplinary reasons when he was playing for the under-21 side, reportedly after an unauthorised late-night excursion. Once the ban was lifted, France coach Didier Deschamps wasted little time in calling him up and he was a surprise inclusion in the squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil ahead of Samir Nasri.