Atlético Madrid - Rcd Espanyol: Sorloth stars as Atlético wins 4-2 at the Metropolitano

Atlético Madrid - Rcd Espanyol ended 4-2 at the Estadio Metropolitano, with Alexander Sorloth scoring twice and Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman adding goals as Atlético returned to LaLiga victory after three matches.

Early shock and an Atletico recovery

Jofre Carreras put Espanyol ahead at 6 minutes, an early blow that stunned the Metropolitano. Atlético grew into the match and Alexander Sorloth equalized at 21 minutes after a cross from Marcos Llorente, turning a nervy start into control heading toward halftime.

Second-half surge delivered by Giuliano and Lookman

Just four minutes into the second half, Giuliano Simeone finished a right-side team move with a low cross-shot to make it 2-1. At 58 minutes Ruggeri nodded a corner toward the near post and Ademola Lookman hammered a diving header to extend the lead. Giuliano Simeone later set up Sorloth for a 72nd-minute strike that made it 4-1.

From Cerro del Espino to the Metropolitano: pressure and selection

On Friday, Miguel Ángel Gil visited Cerro del Espino to tell Diego Simeone and the squad that poor displays like the one at Butarque against Rayo were not acceptable. With a Copa final seemingly close and Europa ambitions still alive, the club also faces the practical need to finish in the top four to secure Champions League qualification and avoid financial fallout. For the match, Simeone selected his nominal starting defense, paired Baena and Cardoso in the midfield axis, used Griezmann as an interior and started Sorloth and Lookman up front; Koke and Julián Álvarez remained on the bench with the upcoming fixture against Brujas in mind.

Tactical battle: how Espanyol tried to stifle Atlético

Manolo González set Espanyol in a five-man defensive block that compressed the lines; defenders Publill and Hancko acted as pass filters. Atlético’s Cardoso struggled to organize the midfield, and Antoine Griezmann drifted toward Hancko, won a loose ball and his pressure indirectly led to the Dolan cross that Jofre Carreras converted for the early lead.

Late response and the closing stages

Espanyol showed some fight when trailing by three: after hitting the crossbar, Edu Expósito scored with about ten minutes left to make it 4-2, but the comeback fell short. The result keeps Atlético on course in the battle for third with Villarreal and leaves Espanyol still waiting for a LaLiga victory — the team has not won in the league in two months, with their last win coming before the year-end break.

Next on the calendar, Atlético will visit Oviedo and Espanyol will travel to face Elche in their following LaLiga fixtures.