In-form Atletico scrape late win at Espanyol

In a dramatic finish, Atletico Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Espanyol at Cornella de Llobregat on Saturday, putting them two points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona. Alex Baena, the Spanish international, sealed the win with a last-minute strike in the 89th minute, a goal that kept Atletico's remarkable winning streak intact at six games across all competitions.

The Ecuadorian forward, who had been struggling last season, was in exceptional form, claiming his fifth league goal of the campaign. Coach Diego Simeone praised his player, noting Baena's ability to "do a lot of damage" and his improved confidence following Spain's World Cup triumph. Atletico dominated defensively throughout the match, denying Espanyol numerous chances.

Espanyol, bolstered by the return of captain Javi Puado from a long-term knee injury, managed to create opportunities but ultimately fell short. Julian Alvarez provided a spark for Atletico as a substitute, showcasing his potential after a summer transfer saga. The goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, made a crucial save in stoppage time to ensure Atletico's triumph. On Sunday, Real Madrid will host Sevilla in another crucial La Liga fixture among several others.