It was dangerously close to being the night after which Atletico Madrid would be objectively eliminated from the Spanish title race—but the Atletico’s hope still flickers, at least for a bit longer. In Round 31, against the absolute weakest team in La Liga, they encountered more resistance than expected, but after beating Sevilla, they managed to secure another league victory and maintain a seven-point deficit behind leaders Barcelona—4:2.We keep all 3 points at home ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/NUOpqtZp2q— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 14, 2025 Had Atletico faced any other slightly more disciplined team, the hosts would hardly have had reason to celebrate. Antoine Griezmann, as has been the case for quite some time now, looked like a ghost on the pitch. His lack of confidence and apparent acceptance that he’s playing his final season at Atletico (unless something massive changes) was compensated for by the best player in the Madrid team this season—Julian Alvarez.With generous help from the visitors, who gifted him two penalties, the Argentine converted from the spot in the 25th minute to make it 1:1, then again in the 71st to make it 3:2, showing he had clearly moved on from the slip and double contact with the ball that everyone at Atletico still denies. Diego Simeone’s reaction after the first penalty said it all—gesturing with two fingers, referencing the infamous double contact in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg. Regardless, Alvarez now has 26 goals for Atletico, including 14 in the league, and can proudly say he has been involved in 31 goals across all competitions this season.Radamel Falcao is now the only player this century to score more goals in his debut Atletico season than Julian Alvarez 🕷️🤟📈 pic.twitter.com/sBs5RRz5CG— LiveScore (@livescore) April 14, 2025 The Argentine international had to correct the mistakes of Clement Lenglet, who nearly cost Atletico dearly tonight. The French center-back was at fault for both goals by the league’s bottom team—first by elbowing Mamadou Sylla in the first half, allowing him to score the opener for Valladolid, and then in the 55th minute by a late challenge that resulted in a free kick, from which the equalizer came.When Atletico starts its summer squad overhaul, it’s highly unlikely they’ll try to retain Lenglet (on loan from Barcelona), especially since the defender has conceded four penalties this season—against Slovan and Real Madrid in the Champions League, and against Espanyol and Valladolid in the league.What happened to Clément Lenglet since ~the new year?He was doing decently enough in the 1st half of the ssn.Then the new year hit, and his form just fell off.I doubt Atleti would try to buy him, and he’s not creating a market for his services, esp w/those wages.Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/qOGk8DEyBI— Michael (@LaLigaMichael) April 14, 2025 It seemed like the blitz from the 25th to 27th minute—goals from Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone (who also won the first penalty)—would be enough for the home side to wrap the match up early. But Manu Sanchez, with help from Conor Gallagher in the wall, deceived Jan Oblak and gave a glimmer of hope to the team from Jose Zorrilla Stadium. Still, Atletico is strong enough not to need gifts like last-minute penalty fouls. And Julian Alvarez has already been through enough in his career to stay composed in crucial league moments.The most effective sub player this year has to be between Ferran Torres and Alexander Sorloth pic.twitter.com/W5m9qQ5YRp— DesmundOris (@Desmund_Oris) April 14, 2025 The win was sealed by one of La Liga’s top super-subs, Alexander Sorloth, and now it’s just a matter of time before Valladolid are mathematically relegated to the Segunda Division. That could happen as soon as two rounds from now, as the current bottom club trails the safety zone by a massive 14 points.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 31FridayValencia – Sevilla 1-0 (1-0)/Guerra 45+4/SaturdaySociedad – Mallorca 0-2 (0-1)/Larin 20, Darder 47/Getafe – Las Palmas 1-3 (1-0)/Alderete 19 – Silva 53, 74, McBurnie 62/Celta – Espanyol 0-2 (0-1)/Jaen 28, 63/Leganes – Barcelona 0-1 (0-0)/Saenz 48 og/SundayOsasuna – Girona 2-1 (1-0)/Budimir 38, Ibanez 79 – Asprilla 90+6/Alaves – Real Madrid 0-1 (0-1)/Camavinga 34/Betis – Villareal 1-2 (1-1)/Ruibal 3 – Barry 26, Perez 48/Ath. Bilbao – Rayo Vallecano 3-1 (0-1)/Sancet 58 pen, Williams 80, Sancet 90+4 – Ciss 37/MondayAtl. Madrid – Valladolid 4-2 (2-1)/Alvarez 25 pen, 71 pen, Simeone 27, Sorloth 79 – Sylla 21, Sanchez 56/
