Overview
- Alejandro Grimaldo put Atlético ahead in the 33rd minute and Robin Le Normand conceded a corner foul that VAR confirmed as a penalty, which Lucas Boyé converted for Alavés just before half-time.
- Ángel Pérez was shown a red card in the 61st minute for a foul on substitute Julián Álvarez, reducing Alavés to ten men and altering the balance of the contest.
- Julián Álvarez came off the bench, won the foul that led to the dismissal and later struck the post with a free-kick as Atlético pushed for a winning goal.
- Álex Baena delivered a low, precise cross in the 86th–87th minute that Cristián Romero headed home at the back post to make it 2-1 and decide the match.
- The victory at Mendizorroza moved Atlético to 19 points and second in La Liga, reinforced the value of late substitutes and set-piece delivery for Diego Simeone’s side, and left Alavés with questions over discipline and defending from dead-ball situations.