Barrios' Last-Gasp Goal Seals Atletico Win Over Sevilla to End Winless Streak
A stoppage-time strike from Pablo Barrios lifted Atletico Madrid to a crucial 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday, snapping a six-game winless run in all competitions and reigniting hopes of a late-season surge in LaLiga.
The win at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium came just in time for Diego Simeone’s side, who took full advantage of dropped points by both Barcelona and Real Madrid on Saturday. Leaders Barcelona were held by Real Betis, while Los Blancos suffered a shock defeat to Valencia, allowing Atletico to reduce the gap at the top to seven points.
Sevilla Strike First in a Bright Start
It was Sevilla who struck the first blow, with Lucien Agoume capping off a swift counter-attack in the seventh minute with a composed finish from outside the box. The early goal energized Garcia Pimienta’s side, who looked poised to take control of the contest.
However, Atletico soon found a way back into the match. In the 28th minute, midfielder Conor Gallagher was brought down inside the penalty area by Sevilla captain Loic Balde. The referee pointed to the spot, and Julian Alvarez stepped up to coolly convert, sending goalkeeper Orjan Nyland the wrong way for his 12th LaLiga goal of the campaign.
Tight Second Half Before Barrios' Decisive Moment
The second half was a more cautious affair, with both sides struggling to carve out clear chances. Sevilla's Nemanja Gudelj came closest to restoring the home side's lead, while Alvarez remained a constant threat for Atletico, testing Nyland with a powerful effort midway through the half.
With the game appearing destined for a draw, Barrios delivered the moment of the match in stoppage time. Driving forward from midfield, the 20-year-old evaded challenges before curling a brilliant left-footed effort into the bottom corner in the 92nd minute, sending the travelling Atletico fans into raptures.
Data Debrief: Late Show Specialists
Atletico Madrid’s knack for late drama continued on Sunday. Barrios’ winner marked the fifth time this season they have scored a 90+ minute winning goal in LaLiga — the most of any team in the competition. Remarkably, two of those five last-minute winners have come against Sevilla.
Agoume’s opener, timed at exactly 7:00 minutes, was the third-earliest goal Sevilla have scored against Atletico this century, behind efforts from Ivan Rakitic in 2021 (06:41) and Luis Fabiano in 2010 (04:55).
Sunday’s result also means Atletico have completed a league double over Sevilla for the fourth time during Simeone’s tenure, having previously done so in 2012-13, 2017-18, and 2022-23.
Looking Ahead
The victory provides a much-needed boost for Atletico as they look to maintain pressure on the top two and secure Champions League qualification. For Sevilla, it’s another frustrating defeat in a turbulent season that has seen them struggle to find consistency.
Up Next:
- Atletico Madrid: vs. Getafe (LaLiga)
- Sevilla: vs. Celta Vigo (LaLiga)
SportsLigue