Atletico Madrid stretched their unbeaten run in LaLiga to nine games with a 2-0 win over Real Betis on Monday, thanks to goals from Giuliano Simeone and Alex Baena.
The result was a crucial breakthrough for Diego Simeone’s side, who had yet to win away from home this season after an opening defeat to Espanyol and subsequent draws against Alaves, Mallorca, and Celta Vigo.
With the victory, Atletico climbed to fourth in the table on 19 points — one behind third-placed Villarreal and three behind Barcelona in second. Real Madrid remain at the summit with 27 points, while Betis sit sixth with 16.
Atletico started brightly on a rainy night in Seville, taking the lead in just the third minute when Simeone’s 22-year-old son, Giuliano, fired in a superb low volley.
After the early goal, Atletico shifted into a defensive shape, allowing Betis to dominate possession. The hosts created several chances through Abde Ezzalzouli, who forced Jan Oblak into a brilliant one-handed save in the 27th minute.
Atletico almost doubled their lead four minutes later when Julian Alvarez narrowly missed the target after a powerful run and cross from Simeone.
Their counter-attacking plan finally paid off in first-half stoppage time, as Baena finished off a rapid break — collecting an Alvarez cross at the far post, cutting inside, and curling the ball into the top corner for 2-0.
Betis came out strong after the interval, pressing high in search of a comeback. Oblak stood firm between the posts, making several vital saves, while Abde came closest when his free-kick rattled the crossbar in the 58th minute.
Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, Atletico held on comfortably to claim all three points.
“Happy for a very important and hard-fought victory,” Oblak told Movistar Plus. “We played well in the first half, but in the second, we dropped too deep and gave them chances. Still, these are three very valuable points for us.”
