Real Oviedo - Atlético Madrid: Julián Álvarez rescues Atleti with a last-gasp winner

In real oviedo - atlético madrid, Julián Álvarez scored in the 94th minute to lift Atlético de Madrid to a 1-0 victory at the Carlos Tartiere, a result built on Jan Oblak’s decisive saves and heavy rotation by Diego Simeone ahead of a major cup tie.

Real Oviedo - Atlético Madrid at the Carlos Tartiere

The match finished 0-1 in favor of Atlético de Madrid after an agonizing final minutes at the Carlos Tartiere. The only shot on target for Atlético became the match winner when Julián Álvarez finished in stoppage time, breaking a scoreless game dominated by Real Oviedo’s chances and several key saves from Jan Oblak.

Oblak held the clean sheet with four crucial interventions

Jan Oblak produced multiple match-defining stops, including a blocked attempt from Fede Viñas around the 23rd minute that he repelled with his body and two important interventions just before halftime: he punched away a header from Ilyas Chaira and parried a shot from Alberto Reina after a corner. Those saves kept the score 0-0 to halftime and set the stage for the late winner.

Simeone’s seven changes and the team mix for the night

Diego Simeone made seven changes to his usual XI as Atlético managed minutes for squad players ahead of a big Cup appointment at the Camp Nou. The side that started in Oviedo included Nahuel Molina, Julio Díaz (making his first-team debut at 21 years old from the reserves), Robin Le Normand, José María Giménez, Thiago Almada, Rodrigo Mendoza, Ademola Lookman, Alexander Sorloth, Johnny Cardoso, Baena and Jan Oblak. Only four players — Sorloth, Johnny Cardoso, Baena and Oblak — were repeated from the 4-1 win over Club Brujas that secured progression to the Champions League round of 16.

How the match unfolded and the decisive moments

Real Oviedo produced the clearer opportunities for long spells: Giménez’s poor pass toward Oblak created an early warning for the visitors, Viñas forced a reaction from the Atletico keeper, and Oviedo repeatedly tested the goalkeeper with headers and corner deliveries. Lookman squandered an early chance from a corner, and Rodrigo Mendoza’s turnovers stirred danger for Atlético. The visitors grew into the match in the second half, Simeone introduced substitutions around the hour mark including Giuliano Simeone, Koke Resurrección and Antoine Griezmann, and Julián Álvarez — introduced earlier — ultimately delivered the decisive touch in stoppage time.

Context for both clubs and the immediate consequences

Atlético de Madrid arrived in Oviedo with momentum from their 4-1 victory over Club Brujas that advanced them to the Champions League round of 16 and recent league wins such as a 4-2 result over Espanyol and a 4-0 victory against Barcelona on 12/02/26; their form list also includes a 3-3 draw at Brujas on 18/02/26 and a 0-1 loss to Real Betis on 08/02/26. Real Oviedo, by contrast, is last in the table with 17 points and sits eight points behind Elche CF, the first team outside the relegation zone. Oviedo had salvaged an agonic draw with Real Sociedad before hosting Atlético, has not lost at home since October (0-2 vs Espanyol) and has won only one of its last 17 matches.

Guillermo Almada faced selection issues as Eric Bailly was not arriving in peak physical condition and David Costas was confirmed to miss the match; the home side’s probable 4-5-1 that had been considered included Aaron Escandell; Nacho Vidal, Eric Bailly, David Carmo, Javi Lopez; Kwasi Sibo, Nicolás Fonseca, Haissem Hassan, Santi Cazorla, Ilyas Chaira; Federico Vinas.

Broadcasts, squad notes and what’s next

Simeone rested several regulars with an eye on the Copa del Rey second-leg tie at the Camp Nou; those spared for Oviedo included Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri, plus Giuliano Simeone, Koke Resurrección and Antoine Griezmann, all expected for the Camp Nou match. Two new signings, Obed Vargas and Clement Lenglet, had not started recent matches, and Nico González and Pablo Barrios were sidelined by muscle injuries and working on their recovery.

With the win, Atlético de Madrid move on to the next scheduled cup clash at the Camp Nou as confirmed by team plans; Real Oviedo return to focus on the fight for points in LaLiga with twelve rounds remaining in the season.