Eppe Franklyne –
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Pablo Barrios scored a late winner for Atletico Madrid, securing a 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday.
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The win ended a month-long six-game winless streak across all competitions for Atletico.
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Atletico kept their slim La Liga title hopes alive as Real Madrid and Barcelona both dropped points.
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Sevilla led 1-0 after Lucien Agoume’s early goal, but Atletico equalized through Julian Alvarez’s penalty.
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Barrios’ decisive strike came deep in added time, ensuring all three points for Diego Simeone’s side.
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Atletico’s recent struggles included exits from the Champions League and Copa del Rey, making La Liga their last hope.
Atletico Madrid ended a frustrating month with a vital 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday, thanks to a dramatic last-minute goal from midfielder Pablo Barrios. The win ended a six-game winless streak that stretched across all competitions, including heartbreak in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
Sevilla initially took the lead with a powerful strike from French midfielder Lucien Agoume, but Atletico responded in the 25th minute with Julian Alvarez converting a penalty after Conor Gallagher was fouled. Despite a promising start, the match became a tense affair with little action until Barrios made a brilliant run through the middle and smashed a shot into the bottom corner in the dying moments of the game.
Atletico’s win kept their hopes of challenging for the La Liga title alive. With Barcelona and Real Madrid both dropping points on Saturday, Atletico moved to 60 points, just three behind Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 at home to Valencia. Barcelona was held to a 1-1 draw by Betis and remains top with 67 points.
Captain Koke expressed relief after the hard-fought victory, acknowledging the tough days Atletico had faced recently. “We needed this win so badly,” Koke said. “After the first goal, which was a blow early on, we bounced back and changed the result. We deserved the win, and this is the line to follow, there is a lot of commitment from everyone.”
This win was crucial for Atletico as they aim to salvage their season after a series of disappointing results. A penalty loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, followed by a 4-2 defeat at home to Barcelona, had left the team reeling. With their Champions League and Copa del Rey hopes dashed, La Liga is now their only remaining focus, and Barrios’ goal provided a much-needed boost to their title challenge.
