Alexander Sørloth’s Late Heroics Secure Atlético Madrid’s 11th Straight Win
It was a nail-biter at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, but Atlético Madrid found a way to keep their incredible winning streak alive. Coming off the bench, Alexander Sørloth delivered the decisive moment with a towering header in the second half, sealing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Getafe in LaLiga. This marked Atlético’s 11th consecutive win across all competitions, a streak that has fans dreaming big.
With this victory, Atlético Madrid now sits level with Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga standings, both teams boasting 38 points from 17 matches. The win also nudged them ahead of Real Madrid, who are in third place with 37 points. Barcelona, however, had the chance to reclaim sole possession of the top spot later on Sunday when they hosted Leganes.
Substitutes Shine in a Tight Contest
Atlético’s winning goal came in the 69th minute, thanks to a brilliant collaboration between two substitutes. Full-back Nahuel Molina delivered a pinpoint cross from the right touchline, finding an unmarked Sørloth at the far post. The Norwegian striker made no mistake, heading the ball past Getafe goalkeeper David Soria to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
“It was a tough game, but we kept pushing,” Sørloth said after the match. “I’m just happy to help the team keep this amazing run going.”
Diego Simeone’s Tactical Evolution
After months of tinkering with his lineup and formations, Atlético manager Diego Simeone seems to have found a formula that works. For Sunday’s match, he stuck with the same starting XI that cruised to a 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League just days earlier. This included a dynamic front two of Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez, supported by two four-man lines in midfield and defense. It’s a departure from the conservative five-man backline Simeone has often favored during his tenure in Madrid.
The hosts dominated possession from the outset, creating several early chances. Winger Samuel Lino came close to breaking the deadlock twice in the opening 15 minutes, narrowly missing the target with volleys set up by Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul. Álvarez, De Paul, and Giuliano Simeone also squandered opportunities in a frustrating first half for the home side.
Sørloth’s Impact Off the Bench
Recognizing the need for a spark, Simeone made a key adjustment at halftime, bringing Sørloth on for Lino and shifting Álvarez to the left wing. The move paid off, as Sørloth’s physical presence and aerial ability gave Atlético a new dimension in attack. While the team continued to miss chances and looked vulnerable to Getafe’s counter-attacks, Sørloth’s moment of brilliance ultimately made the difference.
“Sørloth has been a fantastic addition to the squad,” Simeone said in his post-match press conference. “He gives us something different, and today he showed why he’s so important.”
What’s Next for Atlético?
With their winning streak intact, Atlético now turns their attention to a massive showdown against league leaders Barcelona next Saturday. It’s a match that could have major implications for the title race, and fans will be hoping their team can carry this momentum into the Camp Nou.
Here’s a quick recap of Atlético’s recent run of form:
- 11 consecutive wins in all competitions
- Level on points with Barcelona at the top of LaLiga
- Key contributions from substitutes like Sørloth and Molina
As the season heats up, one thing is clear: Atlético Madrid is a team on a mission. Whether they can sustain this level of performance remains to be seen, but for now, their fans have every reason to believe.
Originally Written by: Reuters
