In the thrilling closing moments of a Spanish league match, Julián Álvarez’s 90th-minute goal secured Atletico Madrid a crucial 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, injecting much-needed momentum into the team ahead of their highly anticipated derby clash against Real Madrid. The dramatic winner came as Álvarez latched onto a pinpoint cross from Antoine Griezmann, setting the stage for Diego Simeone’s side to claim all three points in Vigo on Thursday evening.
Reflecting on the significance of the win, Álvarez, a high-profile offseason signing, was clear on the objective. “What matters are the three points,” he emphasized. “If it’s 1-0 or 5-0, what is important is to get the three points. We knew it was going to be a difficult match against Celta here.” As Atletico remains just two points behind second-place Real Madrid, all eyes now turn to Sunday’s showdown at the Metropolitano Stadium, with both Madrid clubs in close pursuit of an unbeaten Barcelona, who have triumphed in their first seven games of the season.
The match itself was a tense affair, with Atletico finding it tough to break through Celta’s defense. Opportunites were few and far between until Griezmann produced a moment of magic—curling a left-footed cross into the penalty area. Álvarez seized the moment, darting between defenders to prod the ball home with his right foot. This marked the 24-year-old Argentine forward’s second goal since his move from Manchester City, a transfer that brought high expectations.
Celta Vigo, despite their recent poor run—losing four out of their last five matches—showed resilience throughout the game. They mounted several near-successful attacks, only to be denied by another stellar performance from Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Before their crucial matchup with Real Madrid, Atletico came off a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano but had won their previous three matches across all competitions.
. Following the derby, Atletico will shift their focus to the Champions League with an away game against Benfica on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Villarreal secured an important 2-1 victory over promoted Espanyol, coming from behind thanks to a brace from Ayoze Pérez. Pérez’s fantastic run of form continues, having netted six goals in seven matches—just one fewer than Barcelona’s prolific striker Robert Lewandowski. This win keeps Villarreal in the upper echelons of the league, despite a humbling 5-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in their last home game.
However, the Villarreal match was overshadowed by controversy as reports emerged from Spanish media that the match referee was struck by an object thrown from the crowd while exiting the pitch after the final whistle.
In another part of the league, the struggles continue for last-place Las Palmas, who remain winless after seven rounds following a 1-1 draw against Real Betis. The hosts managed to strike first with Alberto Moleiro scoring in the ninth minute. Nevertheless, 11th-place Betis, who were riding high on back-to-back victories, managed to equalize through Giovani Lo Celso just before halftime. Las Palmas has now gone 21 league matches without a win, a streak dating back to last season when they narrowly avoided relegation.
The grim reality of placing at the bottom of the table is also shared by Getafe, who, like Las Palmas, have yet to secure a victory this season.
As Atletico Madrid prepare for their upcoming fixtures, the arrival of in-form Álvarez could not have come at a better time. His knack for clutch performances adds a new dimension to Atletico’s attack, providing a much-needed edge as they face high-stakes matches in both domestic and international competitions. The focus now shifts to the monumental task at hand: dethroning their city rivals, Real Madrid, and keeping pace with a dominant Barcelona.
This gripping finish by Atlético and their march towards potential glory will surely be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as each game brings them a step closer to reaffirming their status as one of Spain’s premier football clubs.
