Diego Forlan struck twice as buoyant Atletico Madrid started their Primera Division campaign in impressive fashion with a 4-0 demolition of Sporting Gijon on Monday night.

A near-capacity crowd crammed into the Vicente Calderon to see if Atletico could build on a memorable few months that has seen them win the Europa League, the European Super Cup and reach the final of the Copa del Rey.

And the Rojiblancos supporters headed home happy after seeing their side record an ultimately convincing victory with Jose Manuel Jurado netting early on and Forlan adding two more in the 40th and 64th minutes.

The scoring was completed in injury-time when substitute Simao Sabrosa curled home a brilliant goal.