Atlético and Elche Share the Spoils in LaLiga Clash
The atmosphere at the Metropolitano was charged with energy as Atlético de Madrid and Elche met in the second round of LaLiga EA Sports. The home crowd expected a strong response from Diego Simeone’s side after their opening defeat to Espanyol, while Elche arrived confident after drawing against Betis. And from the very beginning, the intensity on the pitch matched the expectations.
It did not take long for the game to ignite. Just seven minutes in, Alexander Sorloth made the most of a long pass from Hancko and capitalized on a hesitant outing by goalkeeper Dituro. The Norwegian forward kept his composure, slotting the ball into the net to give Atlético a 1-0 lead. For a moment, it felt as if the rojiblancos might be in full control.
But football has its way of punishing missed chances. Only a few minutes later, Atlético could have doubled their lead, but instead Elche hit back with a textbook counterattack. Valera switched the play brilliantly, Álvaro Rodríguez laid it off, and Rafa Mir finished the move with precision to level the score at 1-1 in the 14th minute. With that, the visiting supporters—about a thousand of them who had traveled—were sent into celebration.
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The rest of the first half was marked by balance. Atlético pushed hard with a flurry of corners, while Elche grew more comfortable with possession, frustrating Simeone’s men. A shot from Giuliano Simeone even struck the post, though it would have been disallowed for offside. At the break, both sides had their share of opportunities, but the scoreboard still read 1-1.
The second half followed a similar script. Atlético pushed forward with urgency, yet Elche’s defensive line held firm. Ruggeri and Almada provided creativity, while Sorloth remained dangerous, but Dituro and the defensive duo of Affengruber and Bigas were equal to the challenge. On the other end, Elche threatened occasionally on the counter, with Valera once again standing out for his direct runs and relentless energy.
Simeone made changes, introducing Griezmann, Gallagher, and Raspadori to inject fresh ideas, but the breakthrough never arrived. Elche, meanwhile, adjusted with Neto and André Silva to steady their attack, and though Rafa Mir left the field, his early goal had already made a lasting impact.
By the final whistle, frustration could be felt among the Atlético faithful. Despite dominating corners and pushing hard in the closing minutes, they were unable to find a winning strike. For Elche, however, it was a night of pride—extending their scoring streak to nine consecutive league games, a run not seen since the early 1970s.
In the end, both teams left with a point. For Atlético, it meant just one from their first two matches—a start that raises questions about their rhythm. For Elche, it was another step forward, proof that they can compete against one of Spain’s giants even on hostile ground. The Metropolitano witnessed a battle full of energy, but in the end, it was honors even: Atlético de Madrid 1, Elche 1.
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