Romero nets late on as Atleti down 10-man Alaves to extend winning run

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico[/a] had won with exactly three goals scored in two of their three previous away league games, but despite being the dominant side in an unremarkable opening half-hour, chances were in short supply.[/p][p]The best within that early period fell to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/david-jonathan/CSvtXj2E/"]Jonathan David[/a], who saw his goal-bound effort from the edge of the box thwarted by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sivera-antonio/lMLBCMLN/"]Antonio Sivera[/a].[/p][p]The goalkeeper then held a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/llorente-marcos/z3D5zvbD/"]Marcos Llorente[/a] shot towards the bottom-right corner - albeit very easily, to Llorente’s frustration, as he saw his chance to give Atletico their seventh match opener in eight league games this season go begging.[/p][p][b]But that strong record of striking first would be kept up in impressive style on 34’, when a slick move downfield saw David flick a backheel through the defensive line for the onrushing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/grimaldo-alex/6cAIrW5Q/"]Alejandro Grimaldo[/a] to finish under Sivera with a clinical shot.[/b][/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="b171a582-7a80-4884-bef4-35bd226d2bac" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="efc8b44e-9bfd-4866-801e-9344e67d59a0" original-width="3840" original-height="2160" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/alaves/hxt57t2q/"]Alaves[/a] hadn’t threatened much up to that point, but were gifted the opportunity to draw level in first-half stoppage time via the penalty spot, after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/le-normand-robin/8GVQFgH4/"]Robin Le Normand[/a] hauled down [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/otto-jonny/thYdCQaj/"]Jonny Otto[/a] in the area during a free kick delivery. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/boye-lucas/YiAqdTFb/"]Lucas Boye[/a] stepped up and sent [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/oblak-jan/SYy8ZHN9/"]Oblak[/a] the wrong way with a low drive into the bottom-left corner.[/b][/p][p]That goal made it nine goalscoring clashes from Alaves’ last 10 to be played against the eventual top four of 2025/26.[/p][p]However, their chances of building on that by completing the turnaround were severely dented just after the hour mark by a VAR red card for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/perez-angel/naR2L4Jt/"]Angel Perez[/a], following his reckless lunge on a sliding [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alvarez-julian/bBHauDIC/"]Julian Alvarez[/a] - one that would make the latter all the more grateful for any protective equipment under his shorts…[/p][p]An Atletico Alamo was expected in the remaining half-hour plus stoppages, but Alaves were wise to their visitors’ greatest threats, holding a steady line and restricting them to shots from distance.[/p][image alt="Key match stats" id="5bd3a282-bf89-4a46-8a62-0492678ffb32" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="6c50ec09-68e4-40a9-9b2f-fad0c11f7edc" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Alaves’ approach almost worked wonders with five minutes to go, when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diaz-mariano/OQ6UIbu1/"]Mariano Diaz[/a] managed to jink past his marker and bear down on goal, but the Dominican could only fire wildly over the crossbar as the Mendizorrotza held its collective breath.[/p][p][b]Barely a minute later, Atletico had three points in the bag when Grimaldo found [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baena-alex/bmeQTB92/"]Alex Baena[/a] on the left flank, and Baena crossed in for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/romero-cristian/jBZTWXMn/"]Cristian Romero[/a] to head home at the far post.[/b][/p][p]With this victory, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/simeone-diego/AZ18LjKN/"]Diego Simeone[/a]’s men have now won each of their last four league games while scoring at least twice each time, keeping alive their best run of multi-goal victories since October 2023.[/p][p]Meanwhile, Alaves - who have now taken just one point from the last 12 available - will have to recover quickly for their trip to Celta Vigo in eight days’ time.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/grimaldo-alex/6cAIrW5Q/"]Alejandro Grimaldo[/a] (Atletico Madrid)[/b][/p][embed guid="72b08825-8b3e-49fe-b001-de75eb1785cb" url="https://x.com/atletienglish/status/2108954167985439138" social-type="twitter" /][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/alaves-hxt57t2q/atl-madrid-jaarqpLQ/summary/stats/?mid=6cE9Ndwf"]Check out the match stats with Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]