Atlético Madrid claimed a vital home win over previously unbeaten Villarreal, earning a narrow but deserved victory at the Cívitas Metropolitano and climbing up the La Liga table.

Villarreal — one of the early pace-setters — had their chances, especially in the first half, but failed to convert them. Young talent Alberto Moleiro had the best opportunity, but saw his effort denied by an alert Jan Oblak, who preserved Atlético’s clean sheet.

Despite tactical adjustments from head coach Marcelino in the second half, the Yellow Submarine couldn't find a breakthrough. Atlético, as so often under Diego Simeone, remained disciplined, compact, and ruthless when it mattered.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Atletico Madrid - Villarreal 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Barrios P., 9 (1:0); Gonzalez N., 52 (2:0)

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Ruggeri (Hancko, 76; Galán J., 83); Lenglet; Le Normand (Pubill, 77); Koke; Barrios P.; Llorente M.; Gonzalez N. (Gallagher C., 76); Griezmann; Álvarez Jul. (Sørloth, 46); Simeone G-o
Substitution: Sørloth (from 46); Hancko (from 76 till 83); Gallagher C. (from 76); Pubill (from 77); Galán J. (from 83)
Bench: Musso; Molina N.; Cardoso Joao; Martín Car.; Raspadori
Yellow Cards: Álvarez Jul. 32; Ruggeri 73

Villarreal: Júnior L.; Foyth; Veiga; Mourino; Cardona S. (Pedraza A., 79); Partey T. (Gueye P.A., 64); Dani Parejo; Buchanan T.; Moleiro (Comesaña, 64); Mikautadze (Oluwaseyi, 79); Pépé N. (Perez A., 64)
Substitution: Gueye P.A. (from 64); Comesaña (from 64); Perez A. (from 64); Pedraza A. (from 79); Oluwaseyi (from 79)
Bench: Conde; Tenas; Altimira; Marín Ra.; Navarro; Akhomach; Solomon
Yellow Cards: Dani Parejo 24; Veiga 65; Mourino 84; Pedraza A. 90