Baena's Late Strike Keeps Atletico's Winning Run Alive at Espanyol

Espanyol Vs Atletico Madrid, Baena scores late winner

Alex Baena struck an 89th-minute winner as Atletico Madrid made it six victories in a row with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Espanyol to keep pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid secure sixth successive victory thanks to Alex Baena's 89th-minute strike in hard-fought win away at Espanyol...

Atletico Madrid stretched their winning run to six matches as Alex Baena struck late to seal a 1-0 victory at Espanyol, earning Atletico their first win in four away meetings between the sides.

Fresh from a hard-fought Champions League win over Manchester United in midweek, Diego Simeone's side showed no fatigue as they took the initiative early in Barcelona.

Lee Kang-in fired over from close range after Jonathan David teed him up, before the Canadian met Giuliano Simeone's ball into the box and lifted his effort just over the crossbar.

Espanyol gradually grew into the game as it settled, but they struggled to find incisiveness in the final third.

The hosts finally threatened just after the half-hour mark with a cleverly worked corner that caught Atletico off guard, but Roberto Fernandez headed Bryan Zaragoza's cross narrowly wide.

Jonathan David was then thwarted by Angel Fortuno, who tipped his effort onto the right post, before Leandro Cabrera pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the area and rattled the crossbar to end the first half.

Disappointed with his team's first-half display, Diego Simeone made two changes at the break, with Ademola Lookman among those withdrawn.

Both sides looked leggy and struggled to create in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, with neither keeper called into action. Marcos Llorente finally had Angel Fortuno scrambling in the 62nd minute, but his long-range effort beat the keeper only to crash off the crossbar.

Fortuno was tested again from distance, this time by Julian Alvarez, whose fierce 25-yard drive was tipped over, while Morten Hjulmand headed into the side-netting from the resulting corner.

Game Momentum

Atletico continued to push for a winner, and just when Espanyol looked set to hold on for a point, Los Colchoneros finally found the breakthrough in the 89th minute.

Baena the hero as Atletico edge Espanyol

Julian Alvarez cut in from the left and found Alex Baena just outside the area, with the Spaniard taking a touch before placing his shot into the bottom left corner.

FINAL #EspanyolAtleti 0-1 ❤️ ¡Victoria del @Atleti a domicilio gracias al gol de Baena! #LALIGAEASPORTS https://t.co/0tynVdOULH

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) October 17, 2026

The victory keeps Atletico in touch with leaders Barcelona, while Espanyol have now lost three of their last four games.

Match Highlights