Atletico Madrid held on to claim a 2-1 victory at Osasuna despite playing the final 11 minutes with ten men, securing a crucial win in their bid for Champions League football.
Atletico Madrid traveled to Estadio El Sadar looking to bounce back from recent inconsistency. The visitors sat fourth in La Liga with 63 points from 35 matches, while Osasuna occupied 11th place with 42 points. Atletico's form read W-L-W-W-L, showing mixed results heading into this contest.
The away side struck early through clinical finishing. Ademola Lookman converted from the penalty spot in the 15th minute, giving Atletico an ideal start. Osasuna struggled to respond as Atletico controlled the opening stages with their superior possession and movement.
Osasuna's defense faced constant pressure. The home team's backline worked hard but found themselves stretched by Atletico's attacking play. Juan Musso proved essential in goal for the visitors, making crucial saves to preserve their lead.
Defensive discipline proved problematic for both teams early on. Javi Galan received a yellow card in the 14th minute for Osasuna. Atletico's Marcos Llorente also picked up a booking in the 52nd minute as the match became increasingly heated.
Atletico extended their advantage in the 71st minute when Alexander Sorloth added a second goal. The Norwegian striker's finish put the visitors in a commanding position with 19 minutes remaining.
The match shifted dramatically in the 79th minute. Marcos Llorente received a second yellow card and subsequent red card, forcing Atletico to defend with ten players. This moment changed the tactical landscape entirely.
Osasuna exploited their numerical advantage immediately. Kike Barja pulled one back in the 90+1st minute, setting up a tense finale. The home team pressed hard for an equalizer during stoppage time but Atletico's depleted defense held firm.
Atletico dominated possession at 42 percent, while Osasuna controlled 58 percent. The visitors created 1.64 expected goals compared to Osasuna's 2.16, showing how the red card affected the game's flow. Lookman's penalty and Sorloth's composed finish proved decisive.
Barja earned a match rating of 8.5 for Osasuna, while Musso's four saves kept Atletico in the contest during the ten-man period. Llorente made seven tackles before his dismissal but his late red card proved costly.
This victory moves Atletico Madrid closer to securing fourth place and Champions League qualification. Osasuna remains in mid-table, their late goal offering little consolation in the final standings.
