Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol: Sorloth Inspires Comeback as Simeone Praises Great Team Effort

Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol produced a 4-2 home win at the Metropolitano that saw Sorloth score the club’s first and final goals to secure three points, and left coach Diego Simeone celebrating what he called a great team effort. The result mattered for momentum and energy heading into a Tuesday fixture later in the week.

Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol — Key moments and final score

The match began dramatically: just six minutes in Tyrhys Dolan was released down the right and bent a low cross into the box. Marcos Llorente’s attempted clearance struck Jofre Carreras, who bundled the ball into the net to give Espanyol the early lead. Fifteen minutes later Sorloth met Llorente’s cross with a first-time finish from the edge of the six-yard box to level the game.

After the interval the hosts broke ahead in the 49th minute when Giuliano Simeone finished a team move by slotting the ball through Marko Dmitrovic’s legs. In the 58th minute an unmarked Ademola Lookman met Matteo Ruggeri’s whipped cross with a fine diving header. Sorloth later struck the foot of the post, and Cyril Ngonge’s looping effort at the other end hit the bar, before the Norwegian forward headed in his second — Atletico’s fourth — when the ball came off the inside of the upright. Edu Exposito pulled a goal back for Espanyol with a deflected shot that went beyond Jan Oblak after Atletico failed to deal with a corner, but that strike did not spark a late turnaround.

Match sequence and goal timeline

• 6th minute: Tyrhys Dolan’s cross led to Jofre Carreras bundling home following Marcos Llorente’s deflected clearance.
• ~15th minute: Sorloth equalised from Llorente’s cross.
• 49th minute: Giuliano Simeone put the hosts in front, finishing through Marko Dmitrovic’s legs.
• 58th minute: Ademola Lookman scored with a diving header from Matteo Ruggeri’s cross.
• Late sequence: Sorloth struck the post, Cyril Ngonge hit the bar, then Sorloth headed in his second to make it four.
• Late: Edu Exposito pulled one back with a deflected shot past Jan Oblak after a corner; comeback attempt fell short.

Simeone praises ‘great team effort’ and assesses the campaign

Coach Diego Simeone addressed the media after the 4-2 home win in La Liga, saying the squad is competing well in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey and that he is very happy with what the squad is doing. He noted the team started the match behind but remained composed and continued to pursue the game plan, which allowed them to control much of the contest and secure an important league victory.

Simeone highlighted the importance of the win ahead of a midweek fixture, saying it is always important to win before an important match on Tuesday. He observed that Brugge’s line-up had used several substitutes in their recent league action and will have fresh players, that the Tuesday match is at 6: 45 p. m., and that Atletico will need to match that freshness and energy. He asked for supporters to help maintain players’ energy levels.

Individual performances and tactical notes

Simeone praised a midfielder he had deployed centrally — almost as a double pivot or inside forward — to link up with Johnny and to supply Giuliano Simeone with a key assist; he singled out the player named Baena as having given Giuliano a fantastic assist and said the team needs the Baena seen in that performance. Simeone said the first conceded goal combined luck with a defensive misinterpretation, the second goal was one Oblak did not see coming, and the crossbar earlier in the match was another key moment that affected the flow.

The coach also commented on a player who had been building form and had a very good match, noting that the individual went from strength to strength and provided the kind of aggression, intensity and team play Atletico needs. The context identifies that someone was described as being happy after the match and having put in work, vision and collective play, but the exact identity of that player is unclear in the provided context.

Club note and miscellaneous items

An item titled "Just a moment... " appears in the material provided. The club published a celebratory message following the victory. Sorloth’s brace earned Atletico the three points, and Simeone framed the result as a necessary victory and a demonstration of team effort as attention turns to the Tuesday match at 6: 45 p. m.

What’s next

With the win secured, attention immediately shifts to maintaining energy levels for the midweek fixture. Simeone’s comments underline squad management considerations across competitions, and the coaching staff will be tasked with balancing recovery and preparation after a physically active win at the Metropolitano. Details about selections and further scheduling are unclear in the provided context.