Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol: Sørloth Double Hands Atlético a 4-2 Win to End Winless Run

Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol produced a 4-2 final score as Alexander Sørloth scored twice to return Atlético to winning ways; this result ended a mini slump and carried immediate table consequences while leaving several tactical and disciplinary talking points.

Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol — match essentials

The match finished Atletico Madrid 4, Espanyol 2. The second half ended with the same scoreline. A published match summary notes the game was covered with a timestamp of February 21, 2026 at 5: 30PM EST. The fourth official announced 6 minutes of added time at the end of play.

Sørloth brace and the goals timeline

• Espanyol opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Jofre Carreras capitalized on a mistake by Marcos Llorente.
• Sørloth (also referenced in coverage as Alexander Sorloth) levelled for the hosts, his first goal putting Atlético back on track after that Llorente error.
• Antoine Griezmann had two promising attempts in the first half — a header and a left-footed shot — both denied by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
• Within four minutes of the restart, Alex Baena threaded a short pass to Giuliano Simeone, who put his father's side ahead.
• With almost an hour gone, Ademola Lookman dived in at the far post to head in the third after a corner was flicked on by Matteo Ruggeri.
• Sørloth powered in Ruggeri's cross for what was noted as his 12th of the campaign; his second was described as a towering 72nd-minute header that looked like it would lift Atlético into third place above Villarreal on goal difference.
• Espanyol reduced the deficit late when Edu Expósito beat Jan Oblak inside his near post from the edge of the area, and that late concession left Atlético in fourth rather than moving up the table.

Key moments, chances and officiating

Several chance sequences and set-piece outcomes shaped the closing stages. Dávid Hancko had a left-footed shot from the left side of the box saved low to the bottom right by Marko Dmitrovic after a Koke assist. Later, Hancko saw a header from the left side of the six-yard box blocked following a Thiago Almada cross. Thiago Almada and Johnny Cardoso each won free kicks in the defensive half for Atlético, while Ramon Terrats won a free kick in Espanyol's defensive half and Edu Expósito secured a free kick in the attacking half for Espanyol.

The fourth official signalled six minutes of added time. A series of corners drew defensive concessions — one corner for Atlético was conceded by Leandro Cabrera, and a corner for Espanyol was conceded by Nahuel Molina. Roberto Fernández was caught offside for Espanyol at one point.

Discipline, substitutions and contested actions

• Cyril Ngonge (Espanyol) was shown a yellow card; he had gone down earlier and the referee judged it to be simulation.
• Johnny Cardoso was involved in both positive and negative moments: he won a free kick in the defensive half and was later penalized for a foul.
• Nahuel Molina was recorded as committing a foul for Atlético Madrid in the live sequence.
• At one substitution point, Robin Le Normand replaced Giuliano Simeone for Atlético Madrid.

Context and immediate implications

Diego Simeone's side had taken just one point from their last three games before this fixture. Atlético had not beaten these visitors since 2022. Espanyol arrived with low confidence after seven matches without a win and were described as being outclassed from almost the moment they went behind. The 72nd-minute header by Sørloth briefly suggested a move up the table to third on goal difference above Villarreal, but a late concession 10 minutes from time meant Atlético remained in fourth.

Club communication and near-term outlook

A brief club post titled "Just a moment... " appeared in the immediate aftermath of the match coverage. The result ends Atlético's short winless run and resolves some pressure on the squad for now, but the late concession and the disciplinary moments highlighted areas that remain unclear in the provided context and may require attention ahead of the next fixture.