Atlético Madrid's grip on the La Liga title race—and potentially the top four—was significantly loosened after a powerful 85th-minute strike from Alejandro Berenguer Remiro secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Athletic Club at San Mamés. The defeat marks the capital club’s second consecutive loss in the league, piling pressure on manager Diego Simeone and raising serious questions about the team’s attacking efficacy and stability.
Frenetic Start Fails to Yield Early Goals
Having travelled to San Mamés under the shadow of a previous 3-1 loss to Barcelona, Atlético Madrid started the match with palpable urgency, determined to secure an early advantage. They immediately pressed high, winning a corner kick in the very first minute, only for the returning centre-back Aymeric Laporte to clear the danger for the home side. Atlético’s initiative continued, with Pablo Barrios winning a free kick moments later, demonstrating the visitors' clear intent to dominate the proceedings.
However, Athletic Club, renowned for their intensity on home turf, quickly found their footing. The match soon settled into a tense, high-tempo affair marked by fierce clashes and early disciplinary action, including a yellow card for Atlético's Conor Gallagher in the 12th minute following a foul on Oihan Sancet. While Athletic's Guruzeta threatened the goal with a shot in the 11th minute that narrowly missed, neither side managed to find the critical opening goal during the intense first quarter of the match.
Defensive Disruption and Missed Opportunities
A moment of concern for Athletic Club arrived in the 28th minute when Laporte sustained an injury and was forced to leave the pitch, replaced by Dani Vivian. This defensive reshuffle caused momentary disruption, but Atlético Madrid failed to capitalize on the change, finding themselves consistently thwarted by the home side's disciplined and well-organized back line for the remainder of the half. Despite the visitors applying greater pressure and controlling possession, they could not penetrate the final third effectively.
The second half saw Simeone make an immediate change, bringing on veteran midfielder Koke for Gallagher in an effort to increase control and creativity. Opportunities did arise, notably in the 51st minute when Nico Gonzalez headed over the bar, but a persistent lack of precision in front of goal continued to plague the visitors. Further reinforcements, including the introductions of Sorloth, Ruggeri, and finally star forward Antoine Griezmann, failed to provide the necessary attacking breakthrough.
Berenguer’s Late Heroics Punish Atlético’s Wastefulness
As the clock ticked down and the match seemed destined for a goalless draw, Athletic Club executed the decisive counter-punch. The home side played tightly, patiently waiting for a lapse in Atlético's concentration.
In the 85th minute, the turning point arrived. Receiving a pass from Nico Williams, Alejandro Berenguer Remiro surged forward and unleashed a powerful, unstoppable strike that rattled the back of the net, leaving the visitors’ goalkeeper with no chance. It was a moment of quality that starkly contrasted with Atlético’s earlier wastefulness and served as a decisive punishment for their inability to convert pressure into goals.
In the desperate final minutes, Simeone’s men launched a final flurry of attacks but were unable to breach the now-fortified Athletic Club defense. The match concluded 1-0 in favor of the hosts, extending Atlético Madrid’s miserable run to two consecutive La Liga defeats. This slump casts a shadow over their campaign, putting their hopes of staying in the title conversation—and securing a top-four finish—at serious risk unless they can swiftly rediscover their stability and attacking sharpness.