Atletico Madrid earned a vital 1-0 win over Almeria in their La Liga clash this evening as Miranda scored the only goal of the game to guide his side to victory.
The visitors had a composed start to the game and Antoine Griezmann went close to opening the scoring when he latched on to Mario Suarez's cross, but his header went wide of the target.
Minutes later, Diego Godin went close as he forced a save from Ruben when he powered a header at goal from Koke's corner from the right.
Atletico continued to press and Ruben was forced into action again when Guilherme Siqueira raided down the left and crossed for Raul Garcia, but his volley was beaten away by the keeper.
Diego Simeone's almost took the lead when Griezmann worked the ball well with Tiago and the Portuguese midfielder powered a strike towards goal. However, Ruben was again alert to the danger and palmed the ball past the post with an impressive one-handed stop.
Just before the break, Ruben denied the visitors once more as Koke did well to find the run of Garcia in the box. Garcia took a touch to get the ball out of his feet then launched a powerful strike at goal, but the keeper parried the ball wide.
In the second half, Atletico pressed to get ahead but couldn't find a way through Ruben despite being encamped in the Almeria half.
The pressure finally told on the home side's goal in the 60th minute when Miranda powered a header past Ruben at the near post after he latched on to Koke's corner from the right.
Madrid nearly doubled their lead when Arda Turan raided down the left flank and was through one on one with Ruben, but the keeper spread himself well to make the crucial block.
Mauro Dos Santos had a late effort for the home side to earn a point, but he could only guide his free header from inside the box past the post, as the visitors held out for the three points.
Simon Sinclair
