- Atlético Madrid beat Valladolid 4–2 despite being level twenty minutes from time
- Julián Álvarez scored twice from the penalty spot and assisted Sorloth’s goal
- Valladolid suffered a tenth defeat in their last eleven matches and remain 14 points from safety
Key Takeaways:
Atlético Madrid faced unexpected difficulties against La Liga’s bottom side Valladolid. Los Colchoneros secured a 4–2 win at their Cívitas Metropolitano, but with around twenty minutes to go, the score was still level. Julián Álvarez converted two penalties, while the other goals for Diego Simeone’s side came from his son Giovanni Simeone and substitute Alexander Sorloth.
A second consecutive win strengthened Atlético’s hold on third place in the standings. They now sit 10 points behind leaders Barcelona and three behind Real Madrid. As for Valladolid, the team’s fate has long been clear. They recorded their tenth loss in the last eleven matches and are now 14 points adrift of 17th place and safety.
The match in Madrid began with a glaring miss from Pablo Barrios and several dangerous attacks by the hosts before the 19th minute, when a corner delivery struck Clément Lenglet’s hand. A VAR review followed, and referee Isidro Escudero awarded a penalty to Valladolid. Mamadou Sylla remained composed and beat Jan Oblak from the spot.
🔴⚪️🕸️ Julián Álvarez makes it 25 goals for Atlético Madrid this season, so 30 G/A. pic.twitter.com/qDr3Rj8GOs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 14, 2025
Atlético responded quickly. Giovanni Simeone was stepped on in the box, and the home side were awarded a penalty of their own, converted by Julián Álvarez. In the 27th minute, Barrios linked up with Simeone again, and the Argentine forward shook off a defender in violet before blasting a powerful shot under the crossbar to bring the crowd at Metropolitano to their feet.
Luck smiled once more on Valladolid in the 56th minute during one of their very rare attacks. Javi Sánchez struck a free kick that deflected off Conor Gallagher and became unstoppable for Oblak — 2–2. Immediately after the goal, Simeone made a triple substitution, sending on Rodrigo Riquelme, Sorloth, and Robin Le Normand.
The Madrid side pinned their opponents back, and it looked unlikely the visitors would hold out without conceding again. In the 71st minute, left-back Henrique fouled Marcos Llorente for the third penalty of the match. Julián Álvarez again converted flawlessly, bringing his season tally to 14 goals.
The game’s outcome was put outside of Valladolid reach in the 79th minute when Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth reacted quickly to tap in a rebound after Álvarez’s shot was saved by André Ferreira.