Atletico Madrid finally got their LaLiga campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Metropolitano, ending their three-game wait for a victory and also snapping Villarreal's nine-match unbeaten league run. For Diego Simeone's side, it was a night of fast starts, clinical finishing, and much-needed relief after a shaky beginning to the season, Softfootball reports.
The hosts wasted no time setting the tone. For the third game in a row, Atleti scored inside the opening 10 minutes, this time courtesy of a costly Villarreal error. Sergi Cardona's misplaced backpass was pounced on by Julian alvarez, who teed up Pablo Barrios to slot calmly past Luiz Junior.
Giuliano Simeone should have doubled the lead moments later but scuffed wide, while Villarreal nearly punished them immediately when Alberto Moleiro raced through, only to send his shot agonisingly past the post. The visitors looked lively in flashes, Nicolas Pepe even rattled the crossbar from a free-kick in first-half stoppage time, but the score stayed 1-0.