24
Nov,2025
Atletico Madrid scraped out a gritty 1-0 win over Getafe on a chilly November night in Madrid’s southern suburbs, thanks to an 82nd-minute own-goal by Domingos Duarte — a moment that felt more like a sigh of relief than a celebration. The match, played at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on the 13th matchday of the 2025-2026 LaLiga seasonGetafe, ended with the Club Atlético de Madrid, S.A.D. clinging to fourth place, just one point behind Villarreal and three behind both Barcelona and Real Madrid. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But in LaLiga, sometimes you win by surviving.
Early Blow, Tough Night
Atletico’s night almost unraveled before it began. Marcos Llorente, the energetic Spanish midfielder who often anchors Simeone’s system, was forced off in the 18th minute with a muscle injury. His absence left a hole in midfield that Getafe exploited with surprising aggression. The home side, managed by a Spanish coaching staff, packed their half with defenders and dared Atletico to break them down. Getafe Club de Fútbol didn’t just sit back — they attacked in transition, and their goalkeeper David Soria was outstanding, denying Nico Gonzalez and Giacomo Raspadori with acrobatic stops.
The Turning Point: A Cross, a Mess, a Goal
The breakthrough came from chaos. In the 65th minute, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Pablo Simeone sent on Giacomo Raspadori, the 25-year-old Italian forward, replacing the quiet Julian Alvarez. Raspadori didn’t score — but he created the moment. A low cross from the left flank, slightly overhit, found its way to the edge of the six-yard box. Raspadori turned it back across goal. And there was Domingos Duarte, the 28-year-old Portuguese center-back, caught between two thoughts: clear it, or control it. He chose neither. Under pressure from Antoine Griezmann, the 35-year-old French veteran who’s been Atletico’s emotional engine since 2021, Duarte’s clearance attempt turned into a panicked shove — and the ball rolled past Soria and into the net.
It wasn’t a goal. It was an accident. But as Atletico Madrid fans screamed, the YouTube commentary by Esau Lepe nailed it: "El conjunto del Cholo Simeone se lleva una victoria importantísima y muy trabajada de Getafe con ese 0-1, un autogol de Domingos Duarte." A huge, hard-fought win. An own-goal. That’s Atletico in a nutshell.
What Could Have Been
Getafe had chances. In the 68th minute, Mauro Arambarri, their combative Uruguayan midfielder, fired a shot that deflected off Nico Gonzalez and just missed the post. Then, in the 93rd minute, he came again — this time, a thunderous strike from outside the box crashed off the crossbar. The stadium held its breath. For a heartbeat, it felt like Getafe might steal a point. But the ball bounced back into play, and Atletico’s defenders — led by Stefan Savić and José María Giménez — held firm.
Simeone’s substitutions were telling. He brought on Alexander Sorloth, the 28-year-old Norwegian target man, to add physicality after Alvarez’s limp performance. It was a classic Simeone move: ditch the flair, bring the brute force. It didn’t create chances, but it disrupted Getafe’s rhythm. And when Raspadori’s cross came, it was Sorloth’s movement that pulled a defender out of position — creating the space Duarte couldn’t handle.
Why This Win Matters
Atletico entered the match with 26 points — the same as Villarreal, but behind on head-to-head. Real Madrid, managed by Xabi Alonso, were set to play Elche later that day. A win for Madrid would have pushed them into first place, leaving Atletico staring at a two-point gap. This result? It kept the door cracked open. With 23 games left, the title race is still alive. And in LaLiga, where the margins are razor-thin, these 1-0 wins are the difference between Champions League qualification and Europa League.
"When these games are tough, winning is important," said Raspadori in his post-match interview. "People told me it would be tough here. And so it was. But we did well in the end."
Behind the Numbers
- Atletico Madrid: 26 points (4th place), 13 matches played
- Getafe: 18 points (11th place), 13 matches played
- Own-goal: 82nd minute — the only shot on target for Atletico in the second half
- David Soria: 5 saves, including 2 in the final 10 minutes
- Attendance: 15,207 (90% of Coliseum Alfonso Pérez’s 17,000 capacity)
It’s rare for a team to win a match without registering a single shot on target in the second half. But that’s what happened. Atletico didn’t dominate. They endured. And in Simeone’s world, that’s often enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the own-goal happen, and was it avoidable?
The own-goal occurred when Giacomo Raspadori’s low cross from the left was turned back across goal by Atletico’s attacking movement. Domingos Duarte, under pressure from Antoine Griezmann, attempted to clear the ball but misjudged the trajectory and inadvertently shoved it past his own goalkeeper. Replays show Duarte was caught between stepping up and dropping back — a common defensive dilemma in tight spaces. It wasn’t a mistake born of poor positioning alone, but of relentless pressure from Griezmann, which forced the error.
What impact does this result have on Atletico’s title chances?
With Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Elche, Atletico’s win kept them within three points of the top two. A loss would have left them four points behind with 23 games left — a near-impossible gap. Now, they remain mathematically alive. The key is consistency: Atletico have now won three of their last four, and Simeone’s side have lost only once in their last 11 league games. They’re not the flashiest team, but they’re the most reliable in tight matches.
Why was Marcos Llorente’s injury so significant?
Llorente isn’t just a midfielder — he’s Simeone’s tactical translator. He transitions from defense to attack, covers for fullbacks, and provides the energy that allows Griezmann and Sorloth to operate. His early exit forced Atletico into a 5-3-2 shape for most of the match, limiting their attacking width. Without him, their build-up became predictable. His absence also meant more minutes for the aging Griezmann, who covered nearly 11 kilometers — the most on the pitch.
How did Getafe’s defensive strategy affect the game?
Getafe played a compact 4-5-1, with Duarte and Yené forming a central pairing that stayed deep. They ceded possession — only 37% — and relied on quick counters. Their shape worked until the 82nd minute. The problem? They had no plan for a low cross into the box when pressed. When Raspadori turned the ball back, Duarte had no clear escape route. Their discipline was admirable, but their lack of aerial dominance in the box became their undoing.
Is Antoine Griezmann still vital to Atletico’s success at 35?
Absolutely. Griezmann didn’t score, but he was the catalyst. He made 17 recoveries, won 10 duels, and forced the own-goal with his relentless pressure on Duarte. His movement dragged defenders out of position, creating space for Raspadori and Sorloth. At 35, he’s not the pacey winger of old — he’s the intelligent, veteran leader who reads the game three steps ahead. His presence alone lifts the entire team’s intensity.
What’s next for Atletico Madrid in LaLiga?
Atletico face Real Sociedad at home next, then travel to Sevilla in a crucial top-six clash. With 23 games left, every point matters. They’re now in a three-team race with Villarreal and Real Madrid for second place. A win against Sociedad could push them into third. But more than results, they need Llorente back. His absence exposes their midfield depth — and that’s their biggest vulnerability in the final stretch.
