Álvarez double guides Atlético to easy win over Betis
Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis
On a vibrant Sunday afternoon at the Metropolitano Stadium, Atlético Madrid delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis, a result that not only showcased their attacking prowess but also mathematically secured their third-place finish in the LaLiga standings for the 2024-25 season. With Barcelona having clinched the title just days earlier, the match carried little in the way of title race implications, yet the atmosphere was charged with the intensity and passion that Diego Simeone’s teams are renowned for. Julián Álvarez, the Argentine forward whose seamless integration into the squad has been a highlight of Atlético’s campaign, emerged as the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist to underline his growing importance. The victory was a testament to Atlético’s depth, discipline, and relentless drive, qualities that have ensured their place among Spain’s representatives in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. For Real Betis, the defeat was a setback in an otherwise commendable season, but their sixth-place position and qualification for the Europa League, coupled with their upcoming Conference League final against Chelsea, provided ample reason for optimism as the campaign nears its conclusion.
The match began with Atlético asserting their dominance early, their high-pressing game and cohesive attacking movements setting the tone. In the 10th minute, Julián Álvarez opened the scoring with a moment of pure brilliance that sent the Metropolitano faithful into raptures. Awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal, Álvarez stepped up and curled a fabulous shot into the top corner, the ball arcing over the Betis wall and beyond the reach of the diving goalkeeper. The strike was a masterclass in precision and technique, showcasing the 25-year-old’s ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. Having joined Atlético from Manchester City in the summer, Álvarez has quickly adapted to Simeone’s system, his work rate and clinical finishing complementing the team’s gritty ethos. The early goal set the stage for Atlético to control proceedings, their midfield, led by the tireless Koke and the dynamic Rodrigo De Paul, dictating the tempo and stifling Betis’s attempts to build from the back. As the first half progressed, Atlético’s dominance grew, with Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata combining to create several half-chances, though Betis’s defense, marshaled by the experienced Germán Pezzella, held firm under pressure. The breakthrough for Atlético’s second goal came in added time before the break, when defender Robin Le Normand rose highest to meet a pinpoint corner, powering a towering header past the Betis goalkeeper. The goal, Le Normand’s first of the season, was a reward for Atlético’s set-piece proficiency, a facet of their game that has been a consistent strength under Simeone’s stewardship. As the teams headed to the locker rooms, Atlético’s 2-0 lead felt like a fair reflection of their first-half superiority, while Betis faced the daunting task of mounting a comeback against one of LaLiga’s most formidable sides.
The second half saw Betis emerge with renewed intent, their manager Manuel Pellegrini making tactical adjustments to inject energy and creativity into their play. The visitors, who have enjoyed a strong season and are preparing for a high-stakes Conference League final against Chelsea, began to find pockets of space, with the lively Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias posing occasional threats. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Pablo Fornals pulled one back with a moment of individual brilliance. Latching onto a cross just inside the box, Fornals executed an acrobatic volley that caught Atlético’s defense off guard, the ball flashing past Jan Oblak and into the net. The goal sparked a flicker of hope among the traveling Betis supporters, who sensed an opportunity to salvage something from the match. Fornals’s strike, his third of the season, highlighted Betis’s attacking quality and their ability to produce moments of magic even against top-tier opposition. For a brief moment, the Metropolitano grew tense, with Atlético’s players and fans aware that a single goal could shift the game’s momentum. However, Simeone’s side, known for their resilience and ability to manage critical moments, quickly reasserted their authority, refusing to let the game slip from their grasp.
The response came swiftly, and it was Álvarez who once again proved decisive. Just eight minutes after Fornals’s goal, Atlético restored their two-goal cushion, with Antoine Griezmann’s vision and Álvarez’s predatory instincts combining to devastating effect. Griezmann, operating in his customary role as the creative fulcrum, slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Álvarez, who had made a clever run into the box. The Argentine forward, showing the composure that has defined his season, tapped in from close range, leaving the Betis goalkeeper with no chance. The goal, Álvarez’s second of the afternoon, underscored his growing partnership with Griezmann, whose intelligence and versatility have been pivotal to Atlético’s attacking output. The Metropolitano erupted, the sense of relief palpable as Atlético reestablished their dominance. The final nail in Betis’s coffin came in added time, when substitute Ángel Correa wrapped up the victory with a clinical strike. The goal was a product of Atlético’s relentless pressure, with Álvarez turning provider this time, his incisive pass finding Correa in space. The Argentine winger, a perennial impact substitute under Simeone, made no mistake, drilling his shot into the bottom corner to seal a comprehensive 4-1 win. The goal was a fitting capstone to a dominant performance, with Álvarez’s involvement in three of the four goals highlighting his transformative impact on the team.
As the final whistle blew, Atlético’s players and fans celebrated a victory that, while not altering the title race, reinforced their credentials as one of LaLiga’s elite. The win secured their third-place finish with 73 points, ensuring their participation in next season’s Champions League alongside Barcelona (85 points), Real Madrid (81 points), Athletic Bilbao (70 points), and Villarreal (67 points). For Simeone, the result was a vindication of his squad’s depth and adaptability, with players like Álvarez, Le Normand, and Correa stepping up to deliver in a match that could have been a potential banana skin. Álvarez, in particular, has been a revelation, his brace taking his goal tally to an impressive 15 in LaLiga and cementing his status as one of the league’s most exciting forwards. His ability to combine technical brilliance with relentless work rate has endeared him to the Atlético faithful, who see in him a player capable of leading the team into a new era. Griezmann, meanwhile, continues to defy expectations, his playmaking and leadership providing the backbone of Atlético’s success. The victory was also a testament to Simeone’s enduring influence, his ability to instill a winning mentality ensuring that even a match with little at stake was approached with maximum intensity.
For Real Betis, the defeat was a disappointment but did little to diminish their achievements this season. With 59 points, they sit comfortably in sixth place, having secured qualification for the Europa League. Their upcoming Conference League final against Chelsea on May 28 in Poland represents a historic opportunity to claim European silverware, and the experience gained from matches like this one against Atlético will serve them well. Fornals’s goal and the team’s second-half resilience offered glimpses of their potential, but the numerical and qualitative gap against a side of Atlético’s caliber was evident. As they prepare for their final LaLiga match and the European final, Betis will look to regroup and harness the momentum that has carried them to this point.
As LaLiga heads into its final weekend, the top-five race is settled, with Spain’s Champions League representatives confirmed. Atlético’s victory over Betis was a microcosm of their season—gritty, clinical, and underpinned by a collective spirit that has kept them competitive against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. For the fans at the Metropolitano, the match was a celebration of their team’s consistency and a reminder of the bright future ahead, with players like Álvarez and Griezmann leading the charge. As the players left the pitch, the stadium reverberating with chants of “Atleti,” there was a sense of pride and anticipation, not just for the final match of the season but for the European adventures that await in 2025-26. The journey, as ever under Simeone, promises to be one of passion, resilience, and unrelenting ambition.
