Atlético Madrid scraped out a 1-0 win over Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Sunday, November 23, 2025, thanks to an 82nd-minute own goal from Getafe defender Domingos Duarte — a moment of desperation that handed Atlético Madrid their fifth consecutive LaLiga victory. The goal came after Giacomo Raspadori’s cutback under pressure from Antoine Griezmann forced Duarte into a clumsy clearance that looped past his own goalkeeper, David Soria. It wasn’t pretty. But in the cold calculus of football, it was enough. And for Diego Simeone’s side, ugly wins have become a signature.
Domination Without Finish
Atlético Madrid controlled the game from the first whistle. With 59% possession, 13 shots to Getafe’s nine, and an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.13 to 0.69, they were the clear architects of chance. Sixty-eight successful dribbles dwarfed Getafe’s 36. Yet for all their control, they looked strangely hesitant in the final third. José María Giménez’s early header was saved by Soria. Nico González had a couple of half-chances blocked. Julián Alvarez, withdrawn in the 59th minute, looked off the pace. Even Koke, playing his 700th game for the club, couldn’t find the killer pass. This wasn’t the kind of performance that wins titles — it was the kind that wins titles because it’s so stubborn.Defensive Grit and Tactical Shifts
The absence of Jan Oblak, sidelined by injury, meant Juan Musso started in goal. He had little to do — and that was the point. Atlético’s shape, restructured after Marcos Llorente’s early injury, became more compact. Diego Simeone, who’s now been in charge since December 2011, responded by replacing Alvarez with Alexander Sorloth — a physical presence meant to win headers and occupy defenders. It worked. The change shifted the dynamic. Getafe, who had been dangerous on the break, suddenly had no space to operate. Their best chance came from Borja Mayoral, whose header was comfortably saved by Musso. Later, Mauro Arambarri smashed a shot against the crossbar in stoppage time — a cruel twist that nearly turned defeat into redemption.For Getafe, the frustration was palpable. They came into the match seventh in the table, buoyed by a home record that had long made them a tough nut to crack. But this wasn’t just about losing. It was about squandering another opportunity. Two straight 1-0 defeats have derailed their European hopes. “It’s a real blow,” said Flashscore USA’s post-match analysis. Their substitutions in the final minutes — Juanmi, Á. Sancris, and Costa — felt like desperation, not strategy.
History and Momentum
The head-to-head record tells the real story: 24 wins for Atlético Madrid, just two for Getafe, with seven draws. Even when Getafe dig in, Atlético finds a way. This was their 11th match without a loss — five wins, six draws. Their consistency is startling. While Barcelona and Real Madrid sit level atop the table with 30 points, Atlético now sits just three behind in fourth. That’s not a fluke. It’s the result of a system built on discipline, counter-pressure, and an almost pathological refusal to lose.Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid were set to face Elche later that same day — a match that could have pushed them into sole possession of first place. But Atlético didn’t need them to slip. They took care of business themselves. This win wasn’t about style. It was about survival. About grinding out results when the stars don’t align. And in LaLiga, that’s often more valuable than brilliance.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Atlético Madrid now turn their focus to a midweek fixture against Sevilla — a team they’ve beaten in six of their last seven meetings. If they win, they’ll be just one point behind the leaders. Their next home game, against Real Sociedad, could be the moment they truly threaten the top two. Simeone knows this: wins like this aren’t accidental. They’re intentional.Getafe, meanwhile, face a crisis of confidence. Their next three fixtures — against Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis, and Villarreal — are all winnable, but only if they rediscover their defensive grit. Right now, they’re leaking confidence as much as goals. Their home form, once a fortress, is looking more like a sieve.
And then there’s Domingos Duarte. One moment. One slip. One own goal that will haunt him — and yet, he’s not the villain. He’s just the guy who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In football, sometimes the difference between hero and goat is a foot’s width.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Atlético Madrid manage to win without their star striker or goalkeeper?
Despite missing Jan Oblak in goal and Julián Alvarez up front, Atlético Madrid relied on tactical discipline and defensive structure. Juan Musso made a crucial save early, while Alexander Sorloth’s introduction in the 59th minute added physicality that disrupted Getafe’s backline. The team’s high pressing and low block neutralized Getafe’s counterattacks, turning a lack of firepower into a win through resilience.
Why is this win significant for Diego Simeone’s team?
This victory marks Atlético Madrid’s fifth straight LaLiga win and their 11th match without a loss — the longest unbeaten run in the league this season. It keeps them within three points of Barcelona and Real Madrid, proving they’re still genuine title contenders despite injuries and inconsistent attacking play. Simeone’s ability to win ugly games is now a defining trait of his tenure.
What impact does this result have on Getafe’s European qualification hopes?
Getafe, sitting seventh before the match, now sit just one point above the Europa Conference League cutoff after their second consecutive 1-0 defeat. With tough fixtures against Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis coming up, their margin for error has vanished. Their inability to convert dominance into goals — they’ve now gone 270 minutes without scoring — is a growing crisis.
How unusual is it for an own goal to decide a LaLiga match?
Own goals have decided 17% of LaLiga matches since 2020, but only 3% of those were in the 80th minute or later. This was only the third time in the last five seasons that a late own goal ended a Madrid derby-style fixture. The pressure of the moment — Griezmann’s presence, the tight space, Duarte’s lack of time — made it a textbook example of defensive breakdown under duress.
What does Koke’s 700th appearance mean for Atlético Madrid’s legacy?
Koke’s 700th game for Atlético Madrid makes him the club’s all-time record appearance holder, surpassing former captain Fernando Torres. He’s played under six managers and won two LaLiga titles, two Europa Leagues, and a Copa del Rey. His presence on the pitch, even as a substitute, symbolizes continuity — a bridge between Simeone’s early rebuild and today’s title-chasing side.
Is Atlético Madrid now genuine title contenders again?
Yes — but not because they’re playing beautifully. They’re contenders because they’re relentless. Their defensive record (only 5 goals conceded in 11 games) is the best in LaLiga. They’ve won five straight without scoring more than once in any match. If they can maintain this grit through the winter and find a little more creativity, they could challenge for the title — even without a prolific striker.
