Álvarez Strikes Twice as Atlético Madrid Sink Valladolid 4-2 to Stay in Title Chase

On a wet and wild Monday night at the Civitas Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid kept their La Liga title hopes alive thanks to a dramatic 4-2 win over bottom-of-the-table Real Valladolid. Julián Álvarez stepped up big time, netting two penalties and leading the comeback charge in what turned out to be an action-packed encounter.

The win leaves Atlético sitting third with 63 points, just three behind Real Madrid and seven behind leaders Barcelona, while Valladolid remain rooted to the bottom with just 16 points, a full 14 points adrift of safety with only seven games left in the season.

“These are three important points,” Álvarez told DAZN. “We have to keep going. Think about Saturday’s game at Las Palmas, rest, and focus. That’s all.”

Let’s break down this rain-soaked thriller and what it means for both clubs going forward.

A Night of Penalties, Comebacks, and Chaos

If you love football chaos, this one had it all: multiple penalties, a VAR fest, late goals, deflections, and a drenched Metropolitano crowd roaring throughout.

First Half: Valladolid Shock, Atlético Response

The visitors, fighting for their lives in La Liga, stunned the home crowd in the 21st minute. After a VAR review, Atlético defender Clément Lenglet was judged to have handled the ball in the box, and Mamadou Sylla stepped up to calmly slot it past Jan Oblak. Sylla’s goal was Valladolid’s first real moment of hope in what’s been a dismal season.

But that hope was short-lived.

Only four minutes later, another VAR check this time went in Atlético’s favor. Valladolid’s Javi Sánchez fouled Giuliano Simeone in the box, and Álvarez stepped up to coolly convert the penalty — his first of the night.

And in the 27th minute, Giuliano Simeone turned from victim to hero, putting Atlético ahead 2-1 with a well-taken finish that sent the soaked crowd into a frenzy.

Giuliano Simeone, the son of Atlético manager Diego Simeone, is slowly carving out his own identity at the club, and Monday was a big step forward.

Second Half: More Twists Than a Telenovela

If the first half was dramatic, the second was full-on mayhem.

Just when Atlético looked in control, Valladolid hit back in the 56th minute. Javi Sánchez stepped up for a free kick and his effort, taking a wicked deflection off Conor Gallagher (yes, the English midfielder on loan from Chelsea), completely wrong-footed Oblak and leveled the match at 2-2.

The Metropolitano fell silent for a beat.

But then Atlético turned to their star of the night again.

In the 71st minute, Henrique brought down Marcos Llorente in the box, and yes — VAR once again played its part. Another penalty was awarded, and once again, Álvarez didn’t flinch, converting his second of the night.

“I had a few other chances for a hat-trick,” Álvarez admitted post-match. “But the important thing is that we were able to win. At some point it got complicated, but we pulled it off.”

The finishing touch came from substitute Alexander Sørloth, who pounced on a rebound in the 83rd minute to make it 4-2 and seal the win.

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Simeone’s Tactical Moves Pay Off

Manager Diego Simeone has been criticized at times this season for overly conservative tactics, but Monday night, his changes worked like a charm. He trusted Simeone Jr. up front, gave Álvarez more freedom centrally, and brought on Sørloth at the right moment.

It also helps when your strikers are converting penalties with nerves of steel.

Simeone’s post-match comments focused on resilience and urgency:

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, especially with the weather and Valladolid’s desperation. We made mistakes, yes, but the team didn’t give up.”

And with Las Palmas on the horizon this Saturday, Simeone made it clear: “There’s no time to relax.”

Valladolid: Fighting to the Bitter End

You have to give credit to Valladolid. They came into this match as clear underdogs, away from home, against a title-chasing giant, and still managed to score twice and make life uncomfortable for most of the night.

Javi Sánchez, who had a rollercoaster game (conceding a penalty and scoring via a deflected free kick), spoke with honesty after the match.

“We competed well. We knew we were going to suffer. It’s a pity they came back,” Sánchez said. “We have to keep going and continue in this vein. Leave the crest where it deserves to be. We have to take it one game at a time.”

Still, time is running out. With just 16 points and seven matches remaining, they’ll need a miracle to avoid relegation.

Player Ratings: Who Stood Out?

Here’s how some of the key players performed on the night:

Atlético Madrid

• Julián Álvarez – 9/10
  Two penalties, constant threat, could’ve had a hat-trick.
  Álvarez’s profile
• Giuliano Simeone – 8/10
  Drew a penalty and scored a crucial goal.
  Simeone Jr.
• Jan Oblak – 6/10
  Made a couple of decent stops but was left stranded on the deflection.
• Conor Gallagher – 6/10
  Solid overall but unlucky with the deflection. Still adjusting to life in La Liga.

Real Valladolid

• Mamadou Sylla – 7/10
  Scored a cool penalty and fought hard up top.
• Javi Sánchez – 6.5/10
  A goal and a conceded penalty — a mixed bag.
• Henrique – 5/10
  Gave away a crucial penalty. Struggled against Llorente’s pace.

What the Table Looks Like Now

Here’s how things stand at the top of La Liga after this match:

Atlético remain firmly in the hunt but can’t afford many more slip-ups. They’ll need both Madrid clubs above them to drop points while continuing to win out.

Final Thoughts

This was a night that showcased both the strength and fragility of Atlético Madrid. While they got the job done — and that’s what matters in a title race — the fact that they had to come from behind twice against the bottom side might concern some fans.

But ultimately, this was a character win, and in April, those are worth their weight in gold.

Meanwhile, Valladolid may be heading down, but they’re going out swinging.

And if Álvarez keeps playing like this? Don’t count Atlético out just yet.