Atlético Madrid - Rcd Espanyol: Atleti ride a 4-2 win at the Metropolitano
atlético madrid - rcd espanyol finished 4-2 at the Estadio Metropolitano in jornada 25 of LaLiga 2025/26, a victory that lifts Atlético ahead of a coming home meeting with the Belgian side Brujas (Club Brugge) and moves them back into contention in the race for European spots.
Atlético Madrid - Rcd Espanyol: a late swing at the Metropolitano
The Colchoneros turned a shock early deficit into a 4-2 win: Jofre Carreras put Espanyol ahead inside the first six minutes, but Alexander Sorloth (two), Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman completed the comeback while Edu Expósito’s late strike only reduced the gap. The match was played at the Estadio Metropolitano in jornada 25 of LaLiga 2025/26.
How the goals unfolded
Espanyol’s opener came from a rapid counter started when Dolan stole the ball after a misread between Hancko and Griezmann; Dolan’s run and cross to the near post found Jofre, whose shot deflected off Marcos Llorente and crossed the line. Sorloth levelled at 21 minutes with a left-foot finish at the second post after a Llorente cross. Four minutes into the second half Giuliano Simeone beat goalkeeper Dmitrovic to make it 2-1. Ademola Lookman added a headed goal at 58 minutes from a Ruggeri cross, and Ruggeri later set up Sorloth again at 72 minutes for the fourth. Edu Expósito pulled one back about ten minutes from full time after Espanyol had hit the crossbar earlier in the move.
Tactical setup: Simeone’s choices and Espanyol’s plan
Diego Simeone opened with an offensive, largely first-choice XI with Sorloth and Antoine Griezmann leading the line and Julián rested. In midfield he tested a Baena–Cardoso pairing while Mendoza served a suspension. Espanyol coach Manolo set his team with Calero in the middle of a five-man back line to absorb pressure and look for fast transitions through Jofre and Dolan, banking on goals in the second half. The plan produced the early goal but could not withstand Atlético’s response.
Key performers and moments inside the game
Jan’s form-carryover was noted: the report describes Sorloth as “the rojiblanco scorer of January, ” and he opened his February account with the first of his two goals. Griezmann tested the goalkeeper twice in the first half—one shot narrowly wide and another headed chance that failed to find a teammate—while Baena supplied a steady stream of forward passes. Pubill provided calm distribution for Espanyol, and Ruggeri and Llorente were more prominent early than Giuliano and Lookman, who found their rhythm after the break. Oblak was the Atlético keeper called on early to retrieve the ball from his net after Jofre’s strike; Dmitrovic saved and collected later attempts until Giuliano beat him at the start of the second half.
What it means now: standings, schedule and Cup notes
The win ended a three-match winless run for Atlético in LaLiga and left the home crowd satisfied as the team continues to contest places tied to European qualification, with Atlético described as battling Villarreal for spots that lead to the UEFA Champions League. The match also underlined Espanyol’s struggles: they have not won in LaLiga for two months before the winter break.
On the calendar, Atlético will host Brujas next at the Metropolitano. A return match is noted as scheduled for the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, a venue described as likely to press in favor of the home side in the club’s quest to reach the Champions League last 16. In the league, Atlético’s next scheduled trip is to Real Oviedo, a team described in the context as sitting bottom with 16 points and six from safety. Espanyol’s next scheduled league match is a trip to Elche. Separately, Atlético travel to the Ciudad Condal holding a 4-0 advantage in a Copa del Rey tie as they aim to reach the final in April at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Sevilla against the winner of Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club; the side will later return home to face a needy Getafe as part of the calendar laid out in the context.
Atlético now prepares for the Brugge fixture at the Metropolitano and the upcoming league trip to Oviedo; Espanyol heads to Elche as both teams try to recalibrate in LaLiga 2025/26.
