Cordoba travelled to Atletico Madrid on Saturday afternoon still looking for their first La Liga win of the season.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a deflected effort from Antoine Griezmann.
Cordoba levelled early in the second half through Nabil Ghilas, but Griezmann's second of the match and headers from Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia moved Atletico 4-1 ahead.
Ghilas added his second for Cordoba late on, but the scoring ended at 4-2.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! No rest for the wicked - we are straight into our second La Liga live commentary of the afternoon as Atletico Madrid welcome Cordoba. The home side currently sit fifth in the table on 20 points, four points behind the new league leaders Real Madrid, who have just won at Granada.
Cordoba, meanwhile, sit in 18th position in the table after taking just five points from their nine league games this season. They have still not won in the league this term, but have lost just one of their last four matches. They are also under new management, with Miroslav Dukic replacing Albert Ferrer.
TEAMS
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Siqueira; Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Turan, Mandzukic, Griezmann
CORDOBA: Carlos; Pantic, I.Lopez, Bouzon, Pinillos; Lopez Garai, Luso; Cartabia, Fidel; Ghilas, Xisco
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Atletico XI this afternoon, with Mario Mandzukic once more leading the line with support from Antoine Griezmann and Arda Turan. Cordoba, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Xisco and Fidel both in the team.
PREDICTION! Take a look at what I have said about this match here...
Here we go then. Can Cordoba end their winless run at the Calderon? It is a serious ask! Let's hope for an entertaining clash as the away side get the first 45 minutes of action underway here.
End-to-end start to this match, with both sides threatening in the early exchanges. Cordoba force the first corner of the fixture after good work from Fede, but Bouzan heads over the crossbar.
The home side are down the other end moments later, with strong work from Griezmann forcing a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered by Koke, but Cordoba manage to clear at the near post. End-to-end football in the Spanish capital, with both sides making a strong start to proceedings.
Just a reminder that Real Madrid have already won this afternoon, while Barcelona are in action against Celta Vigo later this evening. Possession football from Atletico here, with the home side just attempting to quell some of the early Cordoba pressure. It has been a positive start from the struggling visitors.
Half-chance for the home side as Turan finds some space outside the box before meeting a loose clearance, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Cordoba goalkeeper. The away side are down the other end with Fede moments later, but the on-loan Valencia attacker cannot feed a pass into Xisco.
Atletico have just started to up the tempo in the last few minutes, with Mandzukic a threat in the final third. Neither side has really threatened to open the scoring thus far, however, with both teams just settling into proceedings. The first goal - if there indeed is one - will surely be vital in this match.
CROSSBAR! Koke comes close to opening the scoring for the home side, but the Spaniard rattles the crossbar with his effort from outside the box. So close to the first goal!
Half-chance for the away side this time as Ghilas finds some space in the final third, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Atletico are down the other end with Juanfran moments later, but there are no takers on his cross into the box. Moments later, Carlos catches a header from Mandzukic.
The home side have taken control of the possession in the last couple of minutes, with Cordoba now struggling to contain the Spanish champions. That said, Cordoba have managed to see out the opening 17 minutes, which will please their new manager Dukic. Still goalless at the Calderon.
Cordoba just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe. Eventually Griezmann strikes one from outside the box, but Carlos makes the save. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium - as there always is here.
Ghilas again threatens for the away side after finding some space down the left, but his cross is straight into the arms of Moya, who immediately finds Griezmann. The opening 22 minutes have been played at a fast pace, but clear chances have been few and far between, which will please Cordoba.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following some late challenges. Cordoba continue to keep Atletico at bay, but the pressure is rising.
It must be said that the noise levels inside the stadium are just sensational. The home supporters continue to spur their team on and the calls are being answered, but that said, clear chances have been scarce. You just get the feeling that Cordoba need to score first if they are to take something from this match.
The referee must be close to issuing the first yellow card of the match as the challenges continue to arrive from both players. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining and still the score remains level.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Xisco leads a counter attack before finding Ghilas, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya. What a chance for Cordoba!
Another half-chance for the home side as Griezmann takes a long route round his full-back before delivering towards the far post, but once again the danger is cleared. The pressure is building with 33 minutes on the clock, but Cordoba are so well-organised. Can they hold out until the interval?
Another half-chance for the home side as Siqueira delivers a deep cross towards Godin, but once again, the Cordoba defence manage to protect their goalkeeper and the chance is gone. Still 0-0 here.
BOOKING! Bouzon goes into the book for a late challenge on Siqueira.
Once again, Atletico threaten from the resulting set piece, but Griezmann flicks his header high of the crossbar. Little over five minutes of the half remaining and Cordoba are standing strong.
It is like a training exercise at the moment, with Cordoba pinned to the edge of their own box. Finally Turan has an attempt for the home side, but once again Carlos is on hand to collect with relative ease.
Siqueira continues to threaten for Atletico after driving down the left, but Bouzon comes across to foul the left-back. The resulting free kick is delivered by Koke, but the danger is partially cleared.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Cordoba (Griezmann)
Finally the home side break the deadlock at the Calderon and it is Griezmann with his first league goal of the season. The Frenchman's effort takes a big deflection, but lands into the bottom corner.
CHANCE! Fede comes close to levelling for Cordoba moments later, but his deflected effort just drops high of the crossbar. This match has now burst into life!
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Cordoba
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end, with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of that deflected effort from Griezmann. Cordoba have had their moments, especially on the counter attack, but the home side are deserving of their one-goal lead. What will occur in the second 45?
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 69%, while they have had seven attempts - two of which have been on target. Cordoba, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one attempt. There has also been one yellow card - with Bouzon in the book for the visitors.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have plenty of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Cerci, Garcia, Saul and Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Cordoba have the likes of Garcia, Gunino and Rossi in reserve. Both managers have the ability to change this match from the sidelines.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Cordoba find a way back into this match? The home side get the second 45 minutes of action underway in Madrid.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both could look to their benches if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. The noise levels inside the stadium remain extremely high.
Slightly low-key start to the second period, with both sides guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. You just get the feeling that Cordoba will create chances as the half progressed - they have looked dangerous on the counter attack in the opening 50 minutes of this match.
Pressure from the home side as strong work from Turan forces a corner, but once again Cordoba remain strong to clear the danger. Turan is again involved moments later as the Turk collects a pass from Gabi, but the attacker cannot control and the away side are handed a throw down the right.
GOAL! Atletico 1-1 Cordoba (Ghilas)
Cordoba are level! Silence at the Calderon as Ghilas plants a brilliant header into the top corner. Game on in the Spanish capital and in fairness, the visitors are just about worth that goal.
We have a real match on our hands here as the play continues to flow from end-to-end. Griezmann comes close to scoring his second of the match after driving into the box, but his final effort is blocked. Little over 30 minutes of this contest remaining and the home side have work to do.
GOAL! Atletico 2-1 Cordoba (Griezmann)
The home side are back in front at the Calderon as Griezmann heads a Juanfran cross into the back of the net. Brilliant header from the Frenchman, who has scored twice for his side this afternoon.
BOOKING! Fede goes into the book for a late challenge on Siqueira.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Garcia replaces Turan.
GOAL! Atletico 3-1 Cordoba (Mandzukic)
The home side have their third goal of the match as Mandzukic heads a Koke free kick into the back of the net. It was poor from the Cordoba goalkeeper, who came and got nowhere near the crossbar.
SUB! Change for Cordoba as Rossi replaces Xisco.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but the home side are now in total control. Cordoba have shown good character in the second period, but have been undone by two goals in quick succession. It is a long way back from this position it must be said.
SUBS! Changes for both sides at the Calderon - Saul replaces Gabi for the home team, while Fidel replaces Fede for Cordoba. Little over 20 minutes to play in the capital.
The home side continue to force the issue as the second period draws to a close, but Cordoba are also carrying a threat, with Fidel providing legs in the final third. Ghilas attempts to drive into the Atletico box, but Godin is across to make a strong challenge and the danger is cleared once more.
Half-chance for Garcia this time as the Atletico midfielder meets a header from Godin, but the Spaniard can only direct his own header into the arms of Carlos, who is grateful to collect.
Little over 15 minutes of this contest remaining and Atletico are comfortable as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. You get the feeling that there are still more goals in this late on.
Ghilas continues to threaten for Cordoba as the on-loan Porto attacker drives into the Atletico half, but the attacker is surrounded by three defenders. Ghilas has been the bright spark for the away side in this match, but he has needed a little bit more than those around him.
SUB! Atletico make their third change as Rodriguez replaces Griezmann.
SUB! Cordoba also make their third change as Abel replaces Garai.
Abel tries his luck for the away side after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining. Just a reminder that after this match we have live commentary of Barcelona against Celta from the Camp Nou.
GOAL! Atletico 4-1 Cordoba (Garcia)
The home side have their fourth goal of the match as Koke delivers a wonderful cross onto the head of Garcia, who flicks his effort into the far corner. Brilliant from the champions.
Cordoba have a free kick just outside the box as Saul brings Pantic to the ground...
... the resulting set piece is taken by Abel, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya.
The home side continue to threaten as Mandzukic and Garcia both come close following a mix-up inside the Cordoba box, but eventually the danger is cleared. Atletico are just so dangerous from set pieces.
GOAL! Atletico 4-2 Cordoba (Ghilas)
Ghilas scores his second of the match as the on-loan Porto forward lashes one into the top corner following a mix-up inside the Atletico box. It has been an impressive afternoon for Ghilas.
We are into the first of two additional minutes here.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 4-2 Cordoba
So there we have it. Atletico continue their strong run of form with a 4-2 win over Cordoba. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Barcelona against Celta Vigo, which will be live in the next five minutes. Until then!
