Julián Álvarez came off the bench to score the winning goal as Atletico Madrid secured a battling 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, moving to the provisional top of La Liga. The win, coupled with Real Madrid’s earlier 2-1 defeat at Real Betis, puts Atletico on 56 points, two ahead of both Barcelona (who host Real Sociedad on Sunday) and Real Madrid.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both sides creating chances. Atletico, however, were more profligate in the first half. Alexander Sørloth, in particular, was guilty of missing several headed opportunities, failing to convert crosses from Antoine Griezmann, Giuliano Simeone, and Nahuel Molina. Athletic Bilbao also threatened, with brothers Nico and Inaki Williams both coming close but unable to beat Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Álvarez, introduced for Sørloth in the 58th minute, made the decisive impact. In the 66th minute, he received a through ball from Marcos Llorente and finished clinically with a precise left-footed shot.
The goal continues a trend for Atletico Madrid, who have now scored a league-high 16 goals through substitutes this season. This total is also the highest of any team in Europe’s top five leagues, ahead of Lazio (14).
Athletic Bilbao, despite the defeat, remain in fourth place with 48 points. They pushed for an equalizer late in the game, with substitute Gorka Guruzeta missing a close-range opportunity from a Yuri Berchiche cross in the dying minutes.
“A very important victory,” said Álvarez after the match. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We’re up there and we’re in the fight. We had a lot of chances. We had to score and luckily the goal came. I feel very comfortable. My teammates have helped me a lot, the people give me all their affection. The important thing is the team and we’re still in the fight (for the title).”
The victory provides a significant boost for Diego Simeone’s side, who now lead La Liga and also face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. The match underscored Atletico’s squad depth and Álvarez’s growing importance as a game-changing substitute, as well his adaptation since joining from Manchester City.
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