Atlético Madrid beat Real Sociedad 3-0 with three goals in final ten minutes
Diego Simeone's side ended a two-match losing streak at the Reale Arena as Alejandro Grimaldo scored a penalty before Jonathan David and Giuliano Simeone sealed the victory.
A tight opening in San Sebastián
Atlético de Madrid traveled to San Sebastián seeking a response after consecutive away defeats against Athletic Club at San Mamés and Liverpool at Anfield. Manager Diego Pablo Simeone entered the match without injured midfielder Pablo Barrios and forward Julián Álvarez, who stayed in Madrid due to muscular issues. Real Sociedad, coached by Rino Matarazzo, controlled 54% of possession and pressed with intensity in front of 31,834 spectators at the Reale Arena. The fixture carried additional history between the two clubs following the Copa del Rey final five months earlier at Estadio La Cartuja, which Real Sociedad won.
Chances remained limited throughout the first 45 minutes as both defensive units held firm. Atlético created their earliest opening in the 24th minute when Kang-in Lee delivered a precise cross that Morten Hjulmand headed inches wide of the post. Real Sociedad responded with advances from Gonçalo Guedes and Luka Sučić, who missed an opportunity following a mix-up in Atlético's back line. Hjulmand blocked a powerful shot from Guedes, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak pushed away a direct free kick from Sergio Gómez just before halftime.
Substitutions shift the balance
The second half began with Real Sociedad threatening via a cross from Ander Barrenetxea that narrowly missed an attacking touch inside the box. Simeone altered his setup around the hour mark, making a triple substitution in the 59th and 60th minutes by sending on Koke, Johnny Cardoso, and Jonathan David for Kang-in Lee, Álex Baena, and Marcos Llorente. Later in the 76th minute, Arnau Ortiz took the place of Ademola Lookman. Matarazzo responded by introducing Takefusa Kubo and Job Ochieng in the 72nd minute, followed by Jon Gorrotxategi in the 78th minute and Orri Óskarsson in the 79th minute.
The tactical adjustments gave Atlético greater defensive stability and control through midfield. Jonathan David tested the home side in the 78th minute with a powerful right-footed strike, forcing a save from goalkeeper Álex Remiro.
Late goals seal the result
The match turned in the 84th minute after a set piece sent into the box by Alejandro Grimaldo. Referee Juan Martínez Munuera awarded a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Real Sociedad defender Job Ochieng. Grimaldo converted the spot kick by directing a low shot into the center of the net to put Atlético ahead 1-0.
- Kang-in Lee crosses to Morten Hjulmand whose header narrowly misses the target.
- Diego Simeone completes a triple substitution bringing on Jonathan David, Koke, and Johnny Cardoso.
- Álex Remiro saves a right-footed shot from Jonathan David.
- Alejandro Grimaldo scores a penalty after a handball by Job Ochieng.
- Jonathan David converts a pass from Alejandro Grimaldo to extend the lead to 2-0.
- Giuliano Simeone scores Atlético's third goal from an assist by David Hancko.
Atlético capitalized on open spaces in the closing minutes as Real Sociedad pushed forward. In the 90th minute, Grimaldo registered an assist by setting up David, who finished past Remiro to double the lead. In stoppage time, defender David Hancko provided a pass to Giuliano Simeone, who scored the third goal to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
Impact on LaLiga standings
The victory placed Atlético in fourth position in LaLiga, level on points with Deportivo Alavés and Sevilla. The result concluded a difficult sequence of road fixtures for Simeone's squad without any red cards across the 90 minutes. Real Sociedad remained in 12th place on 7 points, having contested one more fixture than their direct competitors in the league table.
