Atletico Madrid edges Valencia 2-1 as Griezmann strike closes gap to Barcelona

Tanya P

14 Dec 2025

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Atletico Madrid reclaimed momentum in La Liga with a gritty 2-1 win over Valencia CF at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, December 13, 2025 — a result that cut Barcelona’s lead at the top to just six points. The win ended a three-match winless streak for Diego Pablo Simeone’s side and exposed Valencia’s continued struggles on the road, where they’ve now gone seven matches without a victory. Koke Resurrección broke the deadlock with his first goal of the season, and Antoine Griezmann sealed it late, while Valencia’s Lucas Beltrán pulled one back in a tense second half that saw VAR deny Pepelu Rodríguez a potential equalizer before halftime.

Home Fortress, Away Nightmare

Atletico Madrid’s Club Atlético de Madrid home record this season has been nothing short of dominant: 22 points from eight matches, 20 goals scored, only six conceded. That’s an 87% win rate — the third-best in La Liga. Meanwhile, Valencia CF, officially Valencia Club de Fútbol, has been a shadow of itself away from Mestalla. Just three points from seven away games. Four goals scored. Thirteen conceded. Their last away win? Back in 2011. This wasn’t just a bad run — it’s a pattern.

Before kickoff, the numbers told the story. Atletico averaged 2.2 goals per match against Valencia in their last 10 meetings. Valencia? A mere 0.9. Even the most optimistic Valencia fan had to admit: this wasn’t just about tactics. It was about confidence — or the lack of it.

Match Flow: Near Misses and VAR Drama

The game started with Valencia pressing high, hoping to catch Atletico off guard after their recent losses. Hugo Duro, the 25-year-old Spanish forward, nearly stunned the home crowd in the 6th minute, smashing a shot off the crossbar. ESPN described it as "letting Atletico off the hook" — a nightmare start that never materialized.

Atletico settled in. Their midfield, led by the ever-reliable Koke Resurrección, began dictating tempo. In the 34th minute, a slick one-two between Álvaro Morata and Koke ended with the 33-year-old captain slotting home low into the far corner. It was his first goal since last April — and it felt like a turning point.

Valencia responded with urgency. But their attack lacked precision. Alexander Sorloth, the 29-year-old Norwegian striker, had a clear chance in the 41st minute, but Julen Agirrezabala, Valencia’s 23-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, made a sharp reflex save — palming the ball behind for a corner. That moment, more than any other, exposed Valencia’s defensive fragility.

Before halftime, Pepelu Rodríguez, the 27-year-old Spanish midfielder, thought he’d equalized after a rebound from a free kick. But VAR intervened. Offside. The replay showed his toe was fractionally ahead. The home crowd erupted in relief. The away end fell silent.

Valencia’s Late Hope and Griezmann’s Ice in Veins

The second half opened with Valencia pushing forward. They deserved better. In the 58th minute, Lucas Beltrán — the 23-year-old Argentine forward — pounced on a loose ball after a miscommunication between Atletico’s center-backs and fired past Jan Oblak. For a moment, the Wanda Metropolitano held its breath.

But Atletico, seasoned in these moments, didn’t panic. Simeone’s side has built a culture of resilience. And in the 79th minute, it was Antoine Griezmann — the 34-year-old French veteran — who delivered. A counterattack, quick as lightning. A pass from Rodrigo De Paul found Griezmann in space, and with a calm, low finish across goal, he restored the lead. No celebration. Just a nod. The kind of goal that wins titles.

Valencia pushed for an equalizer. But their final ball was poor. Their pressing lacked coordination. And when the final whistle blew, the home fans roared — not just for the win, but for the statement: Atletico is back.

What This Means for the Title Race

With this win, Atletico Madrid now sits on 34 points from 17 matches. Barcelona, who won their match on Sunday, remains atop with 40. But the gap is now six points — not the nine it was before kickoff. With 17 games left, this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Valencia, meanwhile, remains in 16th place — still three points above the relegation zone. Their away form is the elephant in the room. They’ve drawn four straight league games — but wins? None. And in a league where every point matters, drawing away to Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano isn’t enough. They need to win. Soon.

Coaches’ Reactions

"We knew it would be tough," said Diego Simeone after the match. "Valencia came to fight. But we showed character. Koke’s goal gave us belief, and Antoine’s finish? That’s what champions do. We’re not done yet."

Carlos Corberán, Valencia’s head coach, was more candid. "We created chances. We had the ball. But we lacked the final touch — and the mental strength when it mattered. We’re not far off. But we’re not close enough. We need to win away. That’s the reality."

Historical Weight

This win extended Atletico’s unbeaten home streak against Valencia to 10 matches — nine wins and one draw since 2011. In their last six meetings overall, Atletico has won all six. Across all competitions, Valencia has lost 56 of 104 visits to Atletico’s home ground. This wasn’t just a result. It was a continuation of a legacy.

For Valencia, the path forward is clear: fix away form or risk relegation. For Atletico, it’s a signal — they’re still in the title conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Koke’s goal impact Atletico’s season?

Koke’s 34th-minute strike was his first goal of the season and broke a 14-game goal drought for the veteran midfielder. It reignited Atletico’s attacking rhythm and gave them crucial psychological momentum. Before this goal, they’d scored just once in their previous three La Liga matches. His leadership and composure under pressure were pivotal in turning a tense match into a win.

Why is Valencia’s away record so poor this season?

Valencia’s away form is the worst in La Liga outside the bottom two, with only three points from seven matches. They’ve conceded 13 goals on the road — more than any other team except the two relegated sides last season. Tactical inconsistency, lack of defensive discipline, and poor finishing have plagued them. Even when they control possession, they collapse under pressure — as seen against Atletico, where they had 52% possession but just three shots on target.

What role did VAR play in the match outcome?

VAR’s decision to disallow Pepelu Rodríguez’s first-half goal for offside was decisive. Replays showed he was just 0.3 meters ahead — barely a step. Had it stood, Valencia would have gone into halftime level, changing the entire dynamic. Instead, Atletico retained momentum. This was the third VAR decision this season to directly impact Valencia’s away results — all went against them.

How does this result affect Atletico’s chances of catching Barcelona?

With the gap now at six points, Atletico’s title hopes are alive but narrow. They’ve played one more game than Barcelona and have a tougher remaining schedule, including away trips to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. To overtake Barcelona, they’ll need to win at least 12 of their remaining 17 games — and hope Barcelona drop points in at least five. It’s possible, but unlikely without a major injury crisis or collapse from the leaders.

Is Antoine Griezmann still a key player for Atletico at 34?

Absolutely. Griezmann’s winning goal was his 12th of the season — tied for second in the team. His movement, positioning, and finishing remain elite. While his pace has slowed, his intelligence and timing have improved. He’s now the most reliable finisher in the squad, and his leadership in clutch moments — like this match — makes him indispensable. Simeone has called him "the heart of the team," and this goal proved why.

Who’s injured or suspended for Valencia’s next match?

Mouctar Diakhaby, the 28-year-old French center-back, remains the only confirmed absentee due to a hamstring strain. His absence leaves Valencia vulnerable in central defense, especially against physical strikers. With no clear replacement, Carlos Corberán may have to shift to a back three — a risky move given their poor away defensive record. Other players are fit, but morale is low after another draw-and-loss cycle.