Atlético de Madrid showed the fighting spirit necessary of a potential title-winner as the capital side came back to book a dramatic 4-3 win against Sevilla at the vaunted Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Scorers: De Paul 10′, Griezmann 62′, 90+4′, Lino 80′; Lukebakio 12′ Romero 32′, Sánchez 57′
Colchoneros took an early lead in the tenth minute through Rodrigo De Paul, with the Argentine smashing home from just outside the area after Antoine Griezmann’s work rate off the ball led to Sevilla turning over possession just outside their 18-yard box.
It was precisely what the capital side deserved after they carved out two big moments even earlier in the opening minutes of play, but Sevilla responded immediately through Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio’s rocket inside the box that flew past Jan Oblak at the near post.
Los Nervionenses would pull ahead in the 32nd minute through Isaac Romero’s first La Liga goal of the season, which capped off a textbook counter-attack after De Paul’s poor pass was intercepted before García Pimienta’s men were off to the races.
Diego Simeone’s troops thought they pulled back level just two minutes before the half-time interval through Julián Alvarez, only for Giuliano Simeone to ultimately be ruled offside in the build-up.
A wonderful team goal by Sevilla saw their advantage extend to a two-goal lead when Juanlu Sánchez finished with a full volley from close range at the back post to stun the Metropolitano crowd into silence.
But the home side were hardly down for the count, and it was none other than the aforementioned Griezmann who pulled a goal back five minutes later after finding himself free in the box thanks to a Pablo Barrios through ball before slotting past Álvaro Fernández.
That renewed spirit paid off for the home side thanks to second-half substitute Samuel Lino, who bagged an equalizer in the 80th minute with a low drive into the bottom corner from nearly 30 yards out.
And just when Sevilla thought that they may have snuck a point, a stoppage time thumper from Griezmann to complete his brace sealed all three points for the La Liga title chasers.
Atléti now sits just one point behind bitter rivals Real Madrid and three off table-topping Barcelona, while Sevilla heads back to Andalucía empty-handed while sitting thirteenth.
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