In a tightly contested La Liga match, Atletico Madrid snatched a dramatic 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés Stadium on Saturday. The game, which was marked by fierce battles in midfield and resolute defending from both sides, saw its decisive moment in stoppage time when Angel Correa capitalized on a swift counter-attack to score the only goal of the match. This victory propelled Atletico Madrid to second place in the league standings, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points.
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Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Head to Head:
Historically, encounters between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid have been intense and closely fought. Both teams are known for their solid defensive structures and physical style of play, which often results in low-scoring affairs. Atletico Madrid had a slight edge in recent years, but Athletic Bilbao’s home advantage and passionate support at San Mamés always make them formidable opponents.
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Lineups:
Here is the Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid lineups today (Aug 31)
Atletico Madrid Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
- Right Back: Nahuel Molina
- Center Back: José Giménez
- Center Back: Robin Le Normand
- Left Back: Reinildo Mandava
- Central Midfielder: Marcos Llorente
- Central Midfielder: Koke (c)
- Attacking Midfielder: Rodrigo Riquelme
- Right Winger: Antoine Griezmann
- Left Winger: Samuel Lino
- Striker: Julián Alvarez
Atletico Madrid Substitutes:
- Ángel Correa
- Alexander Sørloth
- Giuliano Simeone
- Rodrigo De Paul
- Mario Hermoso
Athletic Club Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Julen Agirrezabala
- Right Back: Iñigo Lekue
- Center Back: Dani Vivian
- Center Back: Yeray Álvarez
- Left Back: Yuri Berchiche
- Central Midfielder: Ander Herrera
- Central Midfielder: Beñat Prados
- Attacking Midfielder: Oihan Sancet
- Right Winger: Nico Williams
- Left Winger: Iñaki Williams
- Striker: Gorka Guruzeta
Athletic Club Substitutes:
- Unai Gómez
- Mikel Jauregizar
- Álvaro Djaló
- Álex Berenguer
- Mikel Vesga
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid First Half:
The first half was a cagey affair with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Athletic Bilbao had more of the ball, but Atletico Madrid’s disciplined defensive lines kept them at bay. The hosts’ best opportunity came early on when Gorka Guruzeta’s shot from the right side of the box sailed over the bar. Atletico Madrid responded with a couple of half-chances, the most notable being José Giménez’s header from a corner that went just over the crossbar. Despite some promising build-up play from both sides, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Second Half:
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams exhibiting excellent defensive work but lacking the final pass or clinical finish in the final third. Athletic Bilbao had a golden opportunity in the 67th minute when Oihan Sancet’s powerful shot was expertly saved by Jan Oblak. Atletico Madrid started to grow into the game as it progressed, with Alexander Sørloth making a noticeable impact after coming on as a substitute.
As the match entered its final stages, the tension was palpable, with both teams desperately seeking a winner. Atletico Madrid began to push forward more aggressively, and in the 90th minute, the fourth official signaled six minutes of added time—setting the stage for late drama.
The Decisive Moment: In the second minute of stoppage time, Atletico Madrid executed a perfect counter-attack. Alexander Sørloth dispossessed Iñigo Lekue near the halfway line and sprinted forward, quickly finding Angel Correa with a precise through ball. Correa, who had come on as a substitute for Koke, displayed composure as he rounded Julen Agirrezabala and slotted the ball into an empty net. The goal sparked wild celebrations on the Atletico bench and among the traveling fans, as it secured a vital three points.
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Full-Time: The final whistle blew with the scoreline reading 1-0 in favor of Atletico Madrid. The visitors were able to hold on to their narrow lead despite a late surge from Athletic Bilbao, who earned a corner in the dying moments of the game but failed to capitalize.
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Stats
Here is the Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid stats today (Aug 31)
- Possession: Athletic Bilbao 53% – 47% Atletico Madrid
- Shots on Goal: Athletic Bilbao 1 – 2 Atletico Madrid
- Total Shots: Athletic Bilbao 8 – 9 Atletico Madrid
- Fouls: Athletic Bilbao 13 – 9 Atletico Madrid
- Yellow Cards: Athletic Bilbao 3 – 1 Atletico Madrid
- Red Cards: None
- Corners: Athletic Bilbao 2 – 2 Atletico Madrid
- Saves: Athletic Bilbao 1 – 1 Atletico Madrid
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Timeline
Here is the Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid timeline today (Aug 31)
- 2′ – Early chance for Athletic Bilbao as Gorka Guruzeta’s shot goes high and wide.
- 15′ – Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao receives a yellow card for a foul.
- 34′ – Yeray Álvarez (Athletic Bilbao) and Oihan Sancet (Athletic Bilbao) booked for fouls.
- 45′ – First half ends without goals, teams head into the break level at 0-0.
- 67′ – Jan Oblak saves a powerful shot from Oihan Sancet, keeping the scoreline intact.
- 90’+2′ – Goal! Angel Correa scores the winning goal for Atletico Madrid after a quick counter-attack assisted by Alexander Sørloth.
- 90’+7′ – Full-time, Atletico Madrid secures a 1-0 win.
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid Man of the Match: Angel Correa was undoubtedly the man of the match. Despite only coming on late in the game, his cool finish in stoppage time made all the difference, giving Atletico Madrid a crucial victory and highlighting his importance as a super-sub for Diego Simeone’s side.
Atletico Madrid’s resilience and tactical discipline paid off as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. While Athletic Bilbao showed plenty of fight and created several chances, they were ultimately undone by a moment of brilliance from Angel Correa. This win moves Atletico Madrid into second place in La Liga, keeping them in the race for the title as they continue to chase down league leaders Barcelona.
