Antoine Griezmann’s composure in front of goal once again proved decisive as Atlético Madrid claimed a hard-earned 2-1 LaLiga victory over a stubborn Valencia side at the Estadio Metropolitano, extending their perfect home head-to-head run against Los Che to six straight league wins and preserving their unbeaten home record this season.
Valencia started brightly and nearly stunned the hosts early on when Hugo Duro, fresh from a dramatic equaliser against Sevilla, lifted a presentable chance onto the frame of Jan Oblak’s goal.
Softfootball understands that the early warning seemed to wake Atlético, who recently lost 3-1 to Barcelona in La Liga, up. Diego Simeone’s side began to apply pressure, with Alexander Sørloth forcing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala into a sharp save.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half. Atlético captain Koke reacted quickest to a rebound after Agirrezabala denied Matteo Ruggeri, calmly slotting home at the near post to put the hosts ahead. It was a deserved reward for Atleti’s growing control, but Valencia refused to fold.
Despite falling behind for the sixth time in their last eight away league matches, Valencia showed real fight. Pepelu thought he had levelled in the 35th minute, only for VAR to rule out the effort due to an offside position by Duro in the build-up, allowing Atlético to head into half-time narrowly in front.
Los Che’s persistence finally paid off just after the hour mark. Substitute Lucas Beltrán combined neatly with André Almeida before dancing past Thiago Almada and firing a powerful strike beyond Oblak to claim his first LaLiga goal. Ironically, that equaliser sparked Atlético back into life.
With renewed urgency, the hosts pushed forward, and it was no surprise when Griezmann delivered. The Frenchman controlled a lofted pass with ease before smashing a left-footed finish past Agirrezabala to restore Atlético’s lead and notch his fifth league goal of the campaign.
The club shared a video of Griezmann celebrating the goal via their official X account.
Watch the video below:
Sørloth later had a goal ruled out for offside, but Atlético managed the closing stages with experience, just exactly how Softfootball predicted in the pre-game report, sealing a vital win that lifts them back on track after consecutive defeats. Valencia, meanwhile, leave Madrid still hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, just one point above the drop.
