Sorloth header lifts Atleti past Alaves
Atletico Madrid strengthened its grip on fourth place in LaLiga as Alexander Sorloth's header guided it to a 1-0 win over Alaves – its first league victory of 2026.
Having drawn 1-1 at Real Sociedad in its most recent league fixture before outings in the Supercopa de Espana and the Copa del Rey, Atleti was playing in front of its own fans at the Estadio Metropolitano for the first time in over a month.
Although it was unable to get ahead in the first half, with Thiago Almada having a close-range effort hacked off the line, Atleti gave its supporters a goal to celebrate three minutes into the second period.
Sorloth watched Pablo Barrios's hanging cross all the way onto his head near the penalty spot, then planted it beyond Antonio Sivera via a touch off the right post.
Substitute Alex Baena curled against the woodwork from the left corner of the area as Diego Simeone's side hunted for a second goal, while Alaves' best chance to level was a diving header from Lucas Boye in stoppage time, which flew over Jan Oblak's crossbar.
The victory takes Atleti level with third-placed Villarreal on 41 points, after the Yellow Submarine's defeat to Real Betis, while fifth-placed Espanyol is seven points worse off. Los Colchoneros are still eight points off leader Barcelona and seven behind Real Madrid in second.
