Atletico Madrid missed the chance to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to six points as Diego Simeone's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon.

Antoine Griezmann sent Atletico ahead in the 34th minute, but Girona levelled the scores through Portu 17 minutes from time as the impressive visitors moved into eighth position in the table.

A fairly uneventful first 30 minutes produced few chances for either team, but Atletico were enjoying a lot of the ball, and they took the lead 11 minutes before the end of the first period.

The first goal was not without its controversy, however, with Diego Costa clearly offside when he collected the initial pass from Thomas Partey. Griezmann, meanwhile, was also standing in an offside position when Costa headed towards the Frenchman, who tapped home from close range.

Girona stuck in the contest, however, and managed to level the scores in the 73rd minute when Portu poked home from close range after Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak had kept out a header from Bernardo Espinosa.

Griezmann and Costa had both been taken off by the time that Girona equalised, and the likes of Kevin Gameiro and Vitolo struggled to make their mark in the latter stages of the match.

The hosts had a shout for a penalty in the 86th minute when Partey's cross appeared to strike the arm of Juanpe, but the referee was not interested as Girona held on for an impressive point in Madrid.

ATLETICO (4-4-2): Oblak; Lucas, Savic, Gimenez, Vrsaljko (Vitolo 80'); Carrasco, Saul, Thomas, Correa; Griezmann (Koke 71'), Costa (Gameiro 61')

GIRONA (5-4-1): Bono (Iraizoz 46'); Aday, Ramalho, Espinosa, Juanpe, Mojica; Garcia, Pons, Granell (Timor 84'), Portu; Olunga