Julian Alvarez scores twice as Atletico Madrid beat Valladolid 4-2

Alvarez nets two penalties to lift Atletico past Valladolid and keep title hopes alive.

Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid in action during the La Liga match against Real Valladolid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, on April 14, 2025. Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Julian Alvarez scored twice from the penalty spot as Atletico Madrid beat Real Valladolid 4-2 on Monday night, giving Diego Simeone’s men a crucial win in their fading bid to stay in the La Liga title race. The result keeps Atletico within seven points of leaders Barcelona and three behind second-place Real Madrid, with seven matches left in the season.

The match was full of drama and attacking play, and Julian Alvarez scores twice as Atletico Madrid beat Valladolid 4-2 accurately captures the key moment of the game. Alvarez’s brace helped Atletico navigate past a surprisingly tough test against the league’s bottom club.

The Argentine forward, who has been in excellent form since joining from Manchester City last summer, once again stepped up when it mattered most, showing coolness from the spot and delivering his 14th and 15th La Liga goals of the season.

A nervy start for the hosts

Atletico may have been expected to cruise past Valladolid, but it was the visitors who struck first. Mamadou Sylla converted a penalty after Clement Lenglet was penalized for handling a corner. Lenglet’s attempt to head clear resulted in the ball brushing his hand, and the referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

That early goal stunned the crowd at Civitas Metropolitano, but Atletico responded swiftly. Just minutes later, they were awarded a penalty of their own when Javi Sanchez brought down Giuliano Simeone inside the area. Alvarez, making no mistake this time, calmly slotted it down the middle to level the score at 1-1.

Alvarez had previously endured heartbreak in the Champions League, where he had a penalty controversially disallowed against Real Madrid for allegedly touching the ball twice. But on this night, he made no error and set the tone for Atletico's fightback.

Giuliano Simeone and Sorloth join the party

Within two minutes of the equalizer, Giuliano Simeone—Diego Simeone’s 21-year-old son—gave Atletico the lead with a well-taken goal. Sprinting in from the right wing, Giuliano controlled a lofted ball from Pablo Barrios and smashed it past Valladolid goalkeeper Andre Ferreira.

Atletico looked in full control after going 2-1 up, but they failed to extend their lead before halftime. Their inability to kill off the game came back to haunt them early in the second half.

Clement Lenglet, already responsible for conceding the first penalty, committed another foul just outside the area. Valladolid’s Sanchez took the resulting free kick, which deflected off Conor Gallagher’s shoulder in the wall and wrong-footed Jan Oblak. The equalizer silenced the home fans once again.

Alvarez steps up again

With the match tied at 2-2 and Valladolid threatening to snatch a shock result, Atletico were handed a lifeline. Marcos Llorente made a sharp run into the box and was brought down by Henrique in a clumsy challenge. For the third time in the match, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Alvarez stepped up and sent Ferreira the wrong way, restoring Atletico's lead and sealing his second goal of the night. It was his 26th goal in all competitions, highlighting his influence since arriving from the Premier League.

His relentless energy, intelligent movement, and penalty prowess have made him an indispensable part of Simeone’s setup this season.

Sorloth seals the win

Despite the tension, Atletico finally found breathing space when substitute Alexander Sorloth added a fourth late in the match. After Alvarez’s shot was parried by Ferreira, Sorloth was quickest to react and tapped in the rebound.

The Norwegian striker has earned a reputation for delivering crucial goals off the bench, and once again, he made his mark when it mattered most.

With the win, Atletico moved to 67 points, still trailing Barcelona by seven and Real Madrid by three. Though the title may still seem a distant dream, Diego Simeone is determined to keep the pressure on the two Spanish giants.

Reactions from the dressing room

After the match, Julian Alvarez reflected on his two-goal performance and Atletico’s season outlook. “We can’t do anything more than keep moving forward, thinking about what’s to come,” Alvarez told DAZN.

Coach Diego Simeone remained focused on the task ahead and avoided talking about title chances. “We have to rest and we have a very tough game against Las Palmas on Saturday,” Simeone said.

Giuliano, echoing his father’s sentiments, emphasized the need to stay grounded. “We have to keep working, enjoy this win and then think about Las Palmas,” he said.

Valladolid’s grim reality

While Atletico Madrid continue to chase an unlikely La Liga crown, Real Valladolid’s hopes of survival grow dimmer with each passing match. The defeat leaves them 14 points from safety with only seven games remaining. Without a win in their last 12 matches, their fate could be sealed before the month ends.

Though they showed heart against one of Spain’s top sides, the gap in quality was evident. Their defensive lapses and inability to manage pressure in key moments have haunted them all season.

Coach Paulo Pezzolano now faces the almost impossible task of sparking a turnaround in the final stretch of the campaign.

What lies ahead

For Atletico, the immediate focus is on preparing for the weekend clash against Las Palmas. With few games left in the season, every match becomes critical in the quest to stay within reach of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Julian Alvarez’s form continues to be a bright spot, and his role in the team is only growing in significance. Whether it’s penalties, link-up play, or pressing from the front, Alvarez is proving he’s worth every euro Atletico paid for him last summer.

As the title race intensifies, stories like Julian Alvarez scores twice as Atletico Madrid beat Valladolid 4-2 will become more common—especially if the Argentine continues to deliver performances like this.

For Atletico Madrid fans, there's still hope. And with Alvarez leading the way, that hope might just carry them a little further.