Julian Alvarez, who coolly slotted home two penalties on the night, now boasts 26 goals in all competitions—14 in La Liga. But according to his coach, there’s still room to grow.
The final stretch of this Spanish football season promises drama, tension, and perhaps a few surprises. One thing is certain: La Liga is set for a thrilling conclusion.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was delighted with his team's fighting spirit as they clawed back from two goals down to get a last-gasp 4-4 draw at Barcelona in an action-packed first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday.
Luka Modric scored a brilliant goal from long range to help Real Madrid secure a 2-0 win against Girona on Sunday which took them back level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Champions League holders Real Madrid will play local rivals Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the competition Liverpool will take on Paris Saint-Germain after the teams were paired together in Friday's draw.
The last-gasp victory sends Atletico third in the Champions League table, with the top eight sides all avoiding an extra knockout round.
Diego Simeone's side climbed one point clear of champions Real Madrid and six ahead of third-placed Barcelona at the halfway mark in the Spanish league season.
Last season, around this time, there was a surprise package in Girona in the top three of LaLiga. However, a year later, the Spanish league has returned to the status quo, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid -- the three giants of Spain -- occupying the top three spots on the table at the end of 2024.
Barca have now gone three games without a LaLiga win having picked up five points out of a possible 21, suffering defeats by Leganes and Las Palmas in their previous two home games. They are three points behind Atletico having played a game more.
The 24-year-old cost City just £14 million when he signed from River Plate in January 2022 and his since enjoyed a meteoric rise, helping Argentina to World Cup and Copa America glory, as well as winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League at club level.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, on the eve of his side's final LaLiga match against Real Sociedad, said they fell short of their objectives this season and that title winners Real Madrid were the best team in the world.
Antoine Griezmann secured Champions League qualification for Atletico Madrid with a hat-trick in a 3-0 triumph at Getafe on Wednesday in La Liga.
Dortmund overturned a 2-1 deficit from their quarter-final first leg against Atletico to win 5-4 on aggregate and will now renew their acquaintance with PSG, who beat Barcelona 6-4 over two legs to book their semi-final berth.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Diego Simeone's men moved to within four points of their opponents and pulled five clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao in the race for Champions League qualification.
Antoine Griezmann said Atletico Madrid will have to "suffer" at Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Atletico Madrid earned a 2-1 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, surviving a late onslaught from the visitors.
The duo are the underdog sides remaining in this season's quarter-finals, with the other six teams either among the elite
"(Saul) entered the game well and scored a great goal," Simeone told Movistar.
Lewandowski set up goals for Joao Felix and Fermin Lopez either side of striking himself to pull Barcelona second, eight points behind leaders Real Madrid.