Atlético Madrid overcame stubborn resistance from Real Sociedad in an intense La Liga clash at the Cívitas Metropolitano, with Nico González scoring twice to secure a valuable win for Diego Simeone’s side.

The encounter served as a dress rehearsal ahead of the teams’ upcoming Copa del Rey final, and despite heavy squad rotation from both managers, the intensity never dropped. Atlético Madrid struck first when Alexander Sørloth found the net against his former club, converting a clever knockdown from José María Giménez.

Real Sociedad responded almost immediately. Carlos Soler punished a brief lapse in concentration from the hosts, levelling the score and keeping the contest finely balanced.

Atlético Madrid controlled much of the possession but struggled to break down the organised defence set up by Alessandro Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad. For long periods, the visitors looked comfortable absorbing pressure.

The game changed dramatically after the break when several key players entered the pitch. Nico González restored the home side’s lead following a moment of brilliance from Antoine Griezmann, whose elegant backheel assist split the defence and allowed the midfielder to finish with precision.

Yet the Basque side refused to give in. Mikel Oyarzabal once again brought Real Sociedad level, setting up a tense finale in Madrid.

The decisive moment arrived late in the match. Nico González struck for the second time, calmly finishing to secure all three points for Atlético Madrid.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Atletico Madrid - Real Sociedad 3:2 (1:1)
Goals: Sørloth, 5 (1:0); Soler, 9 (1:1); Gonzalez N., 67 (2:1); Oyarzabal, 68 (2:2); Gonzalez N., 81 (3:2)

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Gimenez Jose; Ruggeri; Molina N.; Hancko; Koke (Cardoso Joao, 61); Almada (Gonzalez N., 54); Mendoza R. (Llorente M., 46); Sørloth; Simeone G-o (Álvarez Jul., 53); Lookman (Griezmann, 53)
Substitution: Llorente M. (from 46); Griezmann (from 53); Álvarez Jul. (from 53); Gonzalez N. (from 54); Cardoso Joao (from 61)
Bench: Musso; Lenglet; Pubill; Le Normand; Díaz J.; Álex Baena; Vargas Ob.
Yellow Cards: Hancko 20

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu; Caleta-Car; Martín Jon; Herrera Ya.; Marin P. (Guedes G., 55); Sergio Gomez; Soler (Turrientes, 74); Sucic L. (Méndez B., 74); Barrenetxea (Zakharyan, 65); Oskarsson (Oyarzabal, 56)
Substitution: Guedes G. (from 55); Oyarzabal (from 56); Zakharyan (from 65); Turrientes (from 74); Méndez B. (from 74)
Bench: Marrero; Elustondo; Gorrotxategi; Zubeldia I.; Wesley; Karrikaburu
Yellow Cards: Oskarsson 49