Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Atlético Madrid recorded a thrilling 3–2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening in the 33rd matchday of La Liga, reviving their slim title hopes and lifting their total to 60 points in fourth place, two points behind Villarreal in third, who later faced Celta Vigo in the same round.
The result also allowed Atlético to make up for last week’s heartbreak in the Copa del Rey final, when they lost to Real Sociedad on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regular and extra time.
Diego Simeone’s side now prepare for a key Champions League semi‑final first‑leg clash against Arsenal on Wednesday, having eliminated Barcelona in the quarter‑finals.
On the opposing side, Athletic Bilbao remain stuck on 41 points in ninth place.
How the match unfolded
Bilbao took an early lead through Aitor Paredes in the 23rd minute, but Antoine Griezmann equalised for Atlético shortly after the break in the 49th minute.
Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth then gave Atlético the lead with a second goal in the 54th, before completing his brace in the third minute of second‑half stoppage time, capping a ruthless counter‑attack.
Former Spain U‑21 star Gorka Guruzeta pulled one back for Bilbao in the seventh minute of added time, but it was too late to change the outcome.
The comeback at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano helped Atlético avoid a fifth consecutive league loss for the first time since 1942 and kept their faint title challenge alive deeper into April.
