Atletico Madrid Beat Real Betis 2–0 to Recover from Arsenal Defeat

Atletico Madrid produced a strong response to their recent Champions League loss with a 2–0 victory over Real Betis on Monday night, climbing to fourth place in La Liga. The win at La Cartuja Stadium, where Betis are temporarily hosting home games, marked Atletico’s first away victory of the season and only their second clean sheet in nine matches across all competitions.

How Did Atletico Madrid Bounce Back?

After their 4–0 defeat against Arsenal in London, Diego Simeone’s side needed a result to restore confidence, and they delivered. The breakthrough came from Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son, who scored the opener before Alex Baena doubled the lead before halftime.

“This is an important win, hard-fought, and I’m happy,” said goalkeeper Jan Oblak in an interview with Movistar. “I hope we continue like this, away from home, not just at home… it was a great game from the whole team and a big effort.”

Atletico’s defensive line held firm in the second half despite Betis pressing harder and coming close when Abde Ezzalzouli struck the crossbar from a free-kick. The visitors managed the game effectively, showcasing the resilience and structure typical of Simeone’s teams.

Atletico now sit eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid, the only team they’ve managed to defeat this season in La Liga. Giuliano dedicated his goal to his newborn nephew, saying, “Our first win on the road and we’re very happy for the great work the team did.” His celebration, shaping the letter F with his fingers, was in honor of baby Faustino, who made Diego Simeone a grandfather for the first time.

What Next for Real Betis and Atletico?

Real Betis, led by Manuel Pellegrini, dropped to sixth place, three points behind Atletico. “Today we were lacking in the final third; we had to be a little sharper in front of goal,” said Giovani Lo Celso, acknowledging the home side’s missed chances. “The team worked hard and tried until the end, for the fans who filled the stadium on a rainy Monday and didn’t stop backing us.”

For Atletico, the win provides much-needed momentum ahead of upcoming fixtures as they look to maintain consistency both domestically and in Europe.

By Yockshard Enyendi