Atlético Madrid finally got their LaLiga campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Metropolitano, ending their three-game wait for a victory and also snapping Villarreal’s nine-match unbeaten league run. For Diego Simeone’s side, it was a night of fast starts, clinical finishing, and much-needed relief after a shaky beginning to the season, Softfootball reports.
The hosts wasted no time setting the tone. For the third game in a row, Atleti scored inside the opening 10 minutes, this time courtesy of a costly Villarreal error. Sergi Cardona’s misplaced backpass was pounced on by Julián Álvarez, who teed up Pablo Barrios to slot calmly past Luiz Júnior.
Giuliano Simeone should have doubled the lead moments later but scuffed wide, while Villarreal nearly punished them immediately when Alberto Moleiro raced through, only to send his shot agonisingly past the post. The visitors looked lively in flashes, Nicolas Pépé even rattled the crossbar from a free-kick in first-half stoppage time, but the score stayed 1-0.
With Atleti yet to score a second-half goal this season and their only previous halftime lead turning into defeat, the nerves were real among the home fans. But those worries were quickly put to bed. Just seven minutes after the restart, Marcos Llorente burst down the right and whipped in a perfect cross for debutant Nicolás González to power home a header and make it 2-0.
From there, Atlético were in total control. Clément Lenglet thought he had scored a third with a header from a corner, but the goal was chalked off for a foul in the box after VAR intervention. Villarreal, who came into the game as LaLiga’s top scoring team this season, barely threatened after the half time break, a timid second half ending their impressive nine-match unbeaten run.
Atleti’s Connor Gallagher who was poised for a deadline day loan move to the premier league giants Manchester United but Ultimately rejected by the Spanish side came in as a substitute in the later stages of the game for Atletico’s match winner Nico Gonzalez
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid via its official X handle posted an exclusive video of Nico Gonzalez celebrating after scoring his first ever goal for the club, watch below;
For Simeone, the win was about more than points, it was about belief. His side not only grabbed their first win of the season but also kept their first clean sheet, supressing doubts that had crept in over their inconsistent start to the season. Villarreal, meanwhile, were reminded that even in diffculties, Atlético remain one of the toughest nights out in Spanish football.
