Alaves 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Romero’s late header seals hard-fought win
Cristian Romero rose highest in the dying minutes at Mendizorrotza to snatch a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Atlético Madrid and keep Diego Simeone’s side firmly in the La Liga title hunt.
The visitors had led through Alejandro Grimaldo’s clinical finish midway through the first half, only for Lucas Boyé to level from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. Reduced to 10 men after Ángel Pérez’s dismissal just past the hour, Alavés dug in stubbornly until Romero’s late header settled a tense encounter and extended Atlético’s winning run to four matches.
Grimaldo opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a composed left-footed strike after a slick combination with Jonathan David. The Canadian forward’s clever back-heel released the full-back, who finished low past Antonio Sivera. Atlético looked comfortable, but their lead lasted only until first-half stoppage time. Robin Le Normand hauled down Toni Martínez as a free-kick was delivered into the box, and after a VAR check Boyé stepped up to send Jan Oblak the wrong way and restore parity.
The second half was transformed by Pérez’s red card. The Alavés defender’s reckless challenge on substitute Julián Álvarez was initially shown a yellow before VAR upgraded it to a straight red in the 61st minute. With a numerical advantage Atlético pressed, yet the home side’s organisation and Sivera’s resistance held firm. Mariano Díaz even spurned a late chance that might have snatched a point.
Just as a draw seemed inevitable, Álex Baena produced a pinpoint cross from the left and Romero powered a header into the bottom corner from close range in the 87th minute. The Argentine defender’s decisive intervention sealed three points that leave Atlético second, two points behind leaders Barcelona, while Alavés remain mid-table after a fourth successive game without a win.
Simeone’s men had to show the patience and steel that have become their trademark. They controlled possession, created the clearer chances and ultimately made their superiority count when it mattered most. For Alavés the late concession was a cruel end to a brave display against one of the division’s strongest sides.
