Atletico Overcomes Disappointment to Upset Osasuna's Plans

Atletico Madrid kept their hopes alive of displacing Villarreal from third place in La Liga. The "Rojiblancos," who were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Arsenal last week, secured a 2-1 away victory against Osasuna. Ademola Lookman opened the scoring from a penalty in the 15th minute, while substitute Alexander Sørloth headed in the second in the 71st. The Madrid side finished the match at "El Sadar" with ten men after Marcos Llorente received a red card in the 79th minute, but Osasuna could only manage a consolation goal from Enrique Barja in added time.

Osasuna squandered several clear-cut chances through their star player Ante Budimir. This result leaves the Pamplona-based team in 11th place, but they cannot rest easy regarding their top-flight survival, as the relegation zone is only three points away.

Diego Simeone, as expected, rested some of his key players, while others missed the match due to injuries. Antoine Griezmann and Ademola Lookman partnered up front. In midfield, Obed Vargas and Rodrigo Mendoza featured, but the midfielder, signed from Elche in the winter, picked up an injury and was substituted before halftime.

Atletico played without pressure, while for the hosts, the match held greater significance as they aimed for at least a draw to secure their safety for the remainder of the season. However, Osasuna's plans went awry early on. Javi Galán, ironically bought from Atletico, handled the ball in his own penalty area, and after VAR intervention, referee Jose Luis Guzman Mansia awarded a penalty to the visitors. Ademola Lookman calmly converted from the spot, giving the "Rojiblancos" the lead in the 15th minute.

Shortly after the goal, Rodrigo Mendoza was replaced by Robin Le Normand, and Osasuna began to dominate Atletico's half. The hosts failed to capitalize on a series of set-pieces in front of Juan Musso's goal, before Ante Budimir found himself one-on-one with the Argentine goalkeeper after a costly error from Koke. However, the Pamplona striker attempted an overly ambitious chip, sending the ball over the bar.

At the very end of the first half, the referee awarded a penalty to Osasuna, but was called to review the situation on the monitor and reversed his decision, as Musso had not struck Budimir in the face, but cleanly punched the ball away.

At halftime, Simeone replaced the once again disappointing Thiago Almada with Alexander Sørloth. Atletico retreated into their own half, while Osasuna desperately sought an equalizer. In the 66th minute, Ante Budimir had another chance to test Musso, but the visiting goalkeeper stretched to tip the ball wide for a corner.

Three minutes later, Marcos Llorente chased down a difficult ball on the byline and crossed to Sørloth, who, unchallenged, headed home. A slight deflection off Moi Gómez's leg also aided the goal, making Sørloth's task even easier.

A quarter of an hour before the end, Atletico's striker could have sealed the win, but was denied by an excellent sliding tackle from Valentin Rosier. Shortly after, Llorente received a second yellow card, leaving Atletico with 10 men. Diego Simeone reacted immediately, replacing Lookman with another defender, Clément Lenglet.

In the 86th minute, Alejandro Catena headed towards goal from a corner, but Musso was alert. In added time, substitute Enrique Barja pulled one back after a defensive error from Atletico, but the visitors held on for all three points.