Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol — Sorloth stars as Atleti recover to win 4-2
Atlético Madrid came from behind to beat RCD Espanyol 4-2 in a comeback at the Metropolitano, a result recorded in the context of the atlético madrid vs espanyol meeting. The win — achieved at the Estadio Metropolitano (also named the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in other accounts) on Saturday night — moved Atlético clear in the table picture cited in match coverage.
Atlético Madrid Vs Espanyol: early shock, Llorente response and the leveller
The visitors opened the scoring very early when Tyrhys Dolan drove forward and delivered a near-post cross that Jofre Carreras finished; the precise minute of that opener is unclear in the provided context (one account says just under five minutes, another says six minutes). Marcos Llorente later set up Alexander Sørloth at the back post to level, an effort described as a volley struck back across the keeper with the ball ending in the net about 20 minutes into the match.
Second-half surge: Simeone, Lookman and Sorloth finish the job
Alex Baena supplied the pass that allowed Giuliano Simeone to drill in what was described as his first home league strike in 10 months early in the second half. Ademola Lookman then scored with a full-length diving header just prior to the hour mark; he was immediately replaced by Julián Álvarez, who had been a scorer in the season-opening reverse fixture. Alexander Sorloth (also shown in one account as Alexander Sorloth) later doubled his tally with a towering header with 20 minutes left. Espanyol pulled a late goal back through Edu Expósito around 10 minutes from time, but the hosts kept control after the early shock.
Standings, form and broader significance
The victory was Atlético’s first in four LaLiga games and their first over the Catalan club in five encounters, and it left Atlético six points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis in one account. Match coverage also noted Atlético were level on points with Villarreal after the result, while Espanyol remained sixth and were described as seven points off Betis. The game was framed as Atlético’s response to Betis drawing with Rayo Vallecano earlier.
Player ratings and individual assessments
Several player ratings and evaluations were published alongside the match summary. Jan Oblak was graded 5 as commentary noted he conceded two goals and otherwise had little to do. Marcos Llorente received a 7 and was applauded loudly by his manager when he departed on 74 minutes; his role included the assist to Sørloth after an earlier shaky moment when he was beaten for the opening goal by Jofre Carreras. Marc Pubill was rated 7 for tidy passing in the first half and a much better display after an irregular outing on Wednesday night. Dávid Hancko was given 7 and was singled out for his ball-playing capabilities, while Matteo Ruggeri earned a 7 and was credited with two assists: a flick-on from a corner for Lookman and a cross to Sørloth’s head. Giuliano Simeone recorded a 7 for a tidy finish early in the second half struck under goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović. A description of Johnny Cardoso appears in match coverage as "the ultimate utility midfielder when asked to sit in the space between the defence and the creative players. He allows his manager to make up" — the sentence is incomplete and unclear in the provided context. It was also noted that Matteo Ruggeri is an avid Atlético fan, with an Instagram presence used as an example of that support.
Missed chances, near-misses and man of the match
Atlético had further chances and near-misses: Sorloth had a shot that cannoned back off the inside of the post, Cyril Ngonge saw a side-foot volley hit the crossbar for Espanyol, and a chance from Thiago Almada created by a Sorloth pass went unconverted. Alexander Sorloth finished with two goals and was named Man of the Match in one account. The sequence of goals, substitutions and late consolation combined to produce a six-goal tie that left Atlético celebrating a comeback and Espanyol with a late reward that did not alter the outcome.
