“What matters are the three points,” stated Julian Álvarez, Atletico Madrid’s high-profile offseason acquisition, following a dramatic 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, marked by Álvarez’s decisive 90th-minute goal in the Spanish league. Álvarez capitalized on a precise cross from Antoine Griezmann to clinch the win for Diego Simeone’s squad at Balaídos on Thursday night.
Reflecting on the victory, Álvarez 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.” The narrow result leaves Atlético Madrid trailing second-place Real Madrid by just two points as they prepare for their crucial derby at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday. Both Madrid teams are in hot pursuit of league leaders Barcelona, who boast a perfect record after seven games.
The match itself was a tense affair with few clear-cut opportunities until Atlético’s breakthrough in the dying moments. Struggling to breach Celta’s defense for much of the match, Atletico finally found a moment of magic in the 90th minute. Antoine Griezmann’s left-footed cross split the defense, allowing Álvarez to dart between defenders and tap the ball into the net with his right foot. This marked the 24-year-old Argentine forward’s second goal since transferring from Manchester City.
Celta Vigo, despite their recent poor form, proved to be resilient opponents. They created several scoring opportunities, only to be thwarted by an outstanding performance from Jan Oblak, Atlético’s ever-reliable goalkeeper. This setback adds to Celta’s woes, having lost four of their last five matches.
Atletico entered this game off the back of a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, a match where they failed to capitalize on multiple scoring chances. Nonetheless, they had secured wins in their three prior matches across all competitions, indicating a return to form. After the intense derby against Real Madrid, Simeone’s men face another test as they travel to play Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Villarreal continues to impress this season, surviving a stern test at Espanyol to secure a 2-1 comeback win.
. Ayoze Pérez, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess, found the net twice, bringing his tally to six goals in seven games—just one shy of league top scorer Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona. Villarreal’s victory over Espanyol marks their fourth win of the season, marred only by a substantial 5-1 home defeat to Barcelona in their previous outing. However, the match concluded on a sour note as local media reported that a referee was struck by an object thrown from the stands post-game, highlighting continuing issues with crowd behavior in Spanish football.
Turning to the foot of the table, last-place Las Palmas remains winless after managing a 1-1 draw against Real Betis. Their dismal run extends to 21 consecutive league matches without a win, dating back to last season when they narrowly avoided relegation. Early optimism from Alberto Moleiro’s ninth-minute goal was dashed by an equalizer from Giovani Lo Celso in first-half stoppage time, maintaining Betis’ push into 11th place.
Interestingly, Las Palmas shares their unenviable record with Getafe, the only other team yet to taste victory in this La Liga campaign. With pressure mounting on Las Palmas’ management and players, the need for a reversal in fortunes is becoming ever more urgent.
In summary, Atletico Madrid’s recent win underscores the significance of securing vital points, regardless of the margin of victory. As Julian Álvarez aptly put it, “What matters are the three points.” This mentality will be crucial as they vie with contemporaries Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of La Liga, navigate high-stakes derbies, and face upcoming Champions League challenges. Villareal continues to show their strength in the league, while woes persist for Celta Vigo and Las Palmas. As the season unfolds, the dynamics of these teams will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of one of Europe’s most competitive football leagues.
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