Atletico Madrid 4-2 Espanyol
Only two places separated Atletico Madrid (4th) and Espanyol (6th) at the start, but no one has enjoyed 2026 much. Despite two good performances against Real Betis and Barcelona, a disappointing Atletico have won just three of their 10 games after the winter break. Espanyol, the revelation of the first half of the season, had to win in 2026 at all.
Considering Espanyol’s loss of defence, Manolo Gonzalez switched to a back three, hoping to rest the Atletico Madrid side who made three changes in their 3-3 draw with Club Brugge. Gonzalez couldn’t have dreamed of a better start, as Tyrhys Dolan sent racing down the right after just five minutes. Jofre Carreras hit David Hancko with a low cross, and while he was lucky to be twice deflected, it didn’t take either one to blow Espanyol’s early lead.
The Seguimos.#LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/Ac0jJbwdyQ
– Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) February 21, 2026
Diego Simeone lined up Gonzalez with three of his own defenders, but it was Marcos Llorente’s first-time push down the flank that delivered the equalizer after 20 minutes. The first move failed, but Espanyol’s attempts to play ended at Llorente’s feet. He also sent a cross to the back post to the toe of Alexander Sorloth, who made a good save and headed it back to Marko Dmitrovic in the net.
After the goal, Antoine Griezmann began to take control of the game, finding holes in the Espanyol structure to play clean passes and open things up. Ademola Lookman fired a second shot wide, before Griezmann turned and raced behind the defence. He collected the ball well on the move, but cut his shot wide. What angered Simeone was that the urgency came out of the Atletico game after a ten-minute clash, Los Pericos were settling down, even though they were not feeling well at the break.
A great game from Alexander Sorloth
After the break, it was Atletico who started well. Griezmann played it to the feet of Alex Baena, who on the move received a beautiful back pass from Giuliano Simeone on the right side of the box. Giuliano put the ball into Dmitrovic’s legs for the lead just five minutes into the second half. On the hour mark, it was Baena where Matteo Ruggeri pounced from close range, finding former Atalanta team-mate Lookman at the back post with a diving header.
At this point, Atletico are going back and forth in a game that has given them plenty of room to attack if they are willing to roll with the punches that Espanyol can’t throw. Sorloth continued his good performance, beating two defenders and hitting the inside of the post after coming in behind. Minutes later, Ruggeri came down the left side and Sorloth rose above the defender to smash his header over the bar – this time off the post.
🇪🇸✨Marcos Llorente’s first half:
– 1 to help
– 90% pass accuracy
– 2 opportunities created
– 43/48 pass
– 1 permit
– 1 shot blocked
– 4 recovery pic.twitter.com/V4S14yibQG– Atlético Universe (@atletiuniverse) February 21, 2026
Between those two games, Cyril Ngonge turned the ball over Jan Oblak and back into the Espanyol goal. Gonzalez had a double with a triple change, but their efforts to extend the game left them stunned. Sorloth escaped from behind again, leaving Thiago Almada with only two defenders in line to beat, but the combination of Fernando Calero and Leandro Cabrera prevented it.
Espanyol continued to fight, and with 10 minutes left, Edu Exposito spotted a gap in Jan Oblak’s position near the box from the left side of the box. He shot into the back of the net, prompting a delivery from defender Robin Le Normand to defender Giuliano.
💙🐦 ¡Recorta distances el @RCDEspanyol con el tanto de Edu Expósito! #AtletiEspanyol | #LALIGAEAASPORTS pic.twitter.com/Q8rK8yMUzY
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) February 21, 2026
Although this time Atletico conceded twice, it was a game that remains strong in their collection of encouraging games at the back but in the same category as Betis and Barcelona, there are strong victories for RCD Mallorca and Alaves. Led by the indomitable Sorloth, perhaps the most promising parts of the game for Simeone were the green shoots from Cardoso, and the assist from Baena. If Atlético manage to turn up consistently, complaints at the Metropolitano will be a thing of the past, but given their form in 2026, no season ticket holder will be confident of their clash with Club Brugge on Tuesday.
Espanyol extend their winless run to eight games, with Celta Vigo, Athletic Club and Osasuna now breathing down their necks in 6th place. The loss was an extension of the frustration of Gonzalez, who testifies to a side that fights, competes and finds ways to score goals, but it seems much easier to play against the opposition in 2026.
