The key facts

  • Alex Baena scored the only goal in the 89th minute — his fifth in the league
  • Atletico claimed a sixth straight win in all competitions and sit two points behind Barcelona
  • Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera and Atletico's Marcos Llorente both hit the crossbar

Late goal gives Atletico victory in Cornella

Atletico Madrid snatched a 1-0 away win over Espanyol thanks to an Alex Baena strike from the edge of the box in the 89th minute. According to AFP, the match in Cornella was hard-fought: both teams had chances in the first half, and the closest to scoring was Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera, who hit the crossbar. About an hour later, Marcos Llorente of Atletico also struck the crossbar from outside the box.

Atletico pressure Barcelona

The win allowed Diego Simeone's second-placed side to cut the gap to Hansi Flick's leading Barcelona to two points — the Catalans played away at third-placed Betis the same day. Atletico have won six matches in a row in all competitions and have more than once this season picked up points in the closing minutes. In stoppage time, goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved a shot from Pol Lozano and preserved three points for the team.

Baena in top form after the World Cup

Baena, who struggled last season, has hit excellent form after winning the World Cup with Spain this summer; the goal was his fifth in the league. After the strike he embraced coach Simeone. 'They defended well, it was hard for us. The good thing about this team is that it believes in itself until the 90th minute,' Baena told DAZN. Simeone noted: 'He is a player who can do a lot of damage, he is in very good form,' adding that Baena's last season was marred by injuries and the World Cup took him to another level.

Pouedas return and Alvarez's progress

Espanyol brought on captain Javi Puado after a long recovery from a knee injury — his first appearance on the pitch since January. For Atletico, Julian Alvarez made a bright impact off the bench, continuing to build form after attempting to leave the club in the summer. It was Alvarez who assisted Baena on the winning goal. On Sunday, according to AFP, fourth-placed Real Madrid host Sevilla among other matches of the round.