Atletico Madrid’s quest to secure the top spot in La Liga was shattered on Sunday as they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Getafe, dealing a major blow to their title aspirations.
Diego Simeone’s side, who are currently in second place in the standings, had the opportunity to climb to the top of the table following Barcelona’s match being postponed on Saturday.
Atletico appeared to be on course for victory when Alexander Sorloth successfully converted a penalty in the 75th minute. However, their hopes were dashed as Angel Correa received a red card and Getafe’s Mauro Arambarri scored two late goals to secure a remarkable win.
Despite having a crucial Champions League clash against Real Madrid looming on Wednesday, Simeone opted for a strong lineup. Nevertheless, Getafe’s defensive tactics effectively neutralized Atletico’s attacking threats in a lackluster first half.
The game took a dramatic turn after Sorloth’s penalty, which was awarded for a handball committed by Omar Alderete, put Atletico in the lead. However, the tide changed when Correa was sent off in the 87th minute for a reckless challenge on Djene Dakonam.
Taking advantage of Atletico’s numerical disadvantage, Getafe capitalized on their chances with Arambarri scoring twice in quick succession. The first goal came from a flicked-on free kick, which Arambarri confidently converted. In stoppage time, Arambarri intercepted Diego Rico’s long-range shot, redirecting it into the net to secure the win and claim all three points.
The defeat was a significant setback for Atletico Madrid’s title hopes, as they missed the opportunity to overtake Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table. With key matches on the horizon, Diego Simeone’s side will need to regroup and bounce back quickly to keep their championship aspirations alive.
