MADRID, SPAIN — Diego Llorente's cruel 74th-minute own goal condemned Atlético Madrid to a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Real Betis at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, as the visitors defied the statistics to claim a precious away victory. The home side dominated possession and created numerous chances, but Álvaro Valles' inspired goalkeeping and a slice of misfortune proved decisive in a match that showcased football's capacity for injustice.
From the opening whistle, Atlético Madrid seized control of proceedings, pinning Real Betis deep inside their own half. José María Giménez announced the hosts' intentions as early as the third minute, meeting Koke's inviting cross with a powerful header that Valles did superbly to palm away. The pattern was established: Atlético Madrid would attack, Real Betis would defend resolutely, and Valles would stand tall when called upon.
The Betis goalkeeper's heroics continued throughout the first half. In the 12th minute, he was forced into action again, stretching to tip Cédric Bakambu's right-footed effort from the right side of the box over the crossbar after Pablo Fornals had threaded a dangerous pass through the Atlético defense. Giménez tested Valles once more in the 17th minute, this time with another header from a Koke cross, but the goalkeeper was equal to the task, positioning himself perfectly to gather the ball.
The breakthrough arrived against the run of play in the 28th minute when Antony produced a moment of genuine quality for the visitors. Collecting possession outside the box, the Brazilian winger shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled a magnificent strike into the bottom right corner, leaving Jan Oblak with no chance. Abde Ezzalzouli's clever assist had unlocked the Atlético defense, and suddenly Real Betis led despite their modest share of possession.
Diego Simeone's response at halftime was emphatic, introducing Antoine Griezmann, Alexander Sørloth, Álex Baena, and Robin Le Normand in a quadruple substitution designed to inject fresh impetus into his side's attacking play. The changes nearly paid immediate dividends in the 59th minute when Sørloth rose to meet Griezmann's cross from the left, but his header from the left side of the six-yard box was brilliantly saved by Valles, who was quickly becoming the story of the match.
Eight minutes later, Sørloth thought he had finally beaten the inspired goalkeeper, powering another header goalward from very close range after Griezmann delivered yet another dangerous cross. Once again, Valles defied the Norwegian striker, somehow keeping the ball out to preserve Real Betis' slender advantage. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano grew increasingly anxious as chance after chance went begging.
The drama reached its crescendo in the 74th minute when Atlético Madrid believed they had finally found the equalizer. The ball ricocheted off Diego Llorente and into his own net, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters. However, their joy was short-lived as VAR intervened, ruling that Griezmann had been in an offside position in the build-up. The goal was chalked off, and incredibly, the scoreline remained 1-0 to Real Betis.
Atlético Madrid's desperation grew palpable in the closing stages. Álex Baena picked up a yellow card in the 83rd minute for a reckless challenge on Marc Roca, reflecting the home side's mounting frustration. Deep into stoppage time, with six minutes added, Rodrigo Riquelme nearly sealed the points for Real Betis with a right-footed shot from distance that forced Oblak into a save, assisted by substitute Nelson Deossa.
The statistics painted a picture of complete Atlético Madrid dominance: 64.9% possession, ten shots to Real Betis' eight, and seven corners to three. Yet football's cruel arithmetic meant none of it mattered. Real Betis goalkeeper Valles made five crucial saves compared to Oblak's three, and his performance proved the difference between one point and three. The visitors also committed just three fouls to Atlético's twelve, maintaining their disciplined shape throughout while collecting only one yellow card to their opponents' three.
For Atlético Madrid, sitting fourth with 38 points, this represented a damaging setback in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Their inability to convert territorial dominance into goals will concern Simeone, particularly with the attacking talent at his disposal. Real Betis, meanwhile, climbed to 29 points in sixth place, their defensive resilience and clinical finishing providing the perfect blueprint for away success.
The result caps a difficult period for Atlético Madrid, who must quickly rediscover their cutting edge when they travel to face Madrid CFF on February 15. Real Betis, buoyed by this smash-and-grab victory, will look to build momentum when they host Mallorca on the same day, knowing that performances like this can define a season.