The stage was set for a high-stakes La Liga showdown on February 8, 2026, as Atletico Madrid hosted Real Betis at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Both teams entered the contest with plenty to prove—Atletico Madrid, sitting third in the league, aimed to keep pace with the leaders, while Real Betis, occupying fifth place, sought to close the gap and avenge a recent, stinging cup defeat.
Coming into the match, the storylines were plentiful. Just days earlier, Atletico Madrid had dismantled Real Betis 5-0 in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, a result that sent shockwaves through Spanish football. New signing Ademola Lookman was the star of that cup tie, marking his debut with both a goal and an assist. Manager Diego Simeone, never one to mince words, told beIN SPORTS, “Lookman will make us better,” highlighting the Nigerian’s pace, dribbling, and finishing as key assets for the run-in. The question on everyone’s mind: could Lookman replicate that magic in La Liga?
Yet, if Atletico fans hoped for a repeat performance, they were quickly reminded of the unpredictable nature of football. The opening half was a tense, tactical affair. Real Betis, still smarting from their cup humiliation, played with grit and determination. The visitors’ defensive discipline frustrated Atletico’s attack, and the hosts found themselves struggling to carve out clear chances. Marcos Llorente’s early foul on Abde Ezzalzouli set the tone for a physical contest, and the referee’s whistle was never far from his lips.
Set pieces abounded. Atletico pressed forward, earning a flurry of corners, but Real Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles proved equal to the challenge. One of the best early chances fell to Alexander Sørloth, whose powerful header from close range was expertly saved by Valles after a pinpoint cross from Antoine Griezmann. Moments later, Griezmann himself tried his luck from distance, but his left-footed drive sailed high and wide, drawing groans from the home faithful.
The first half’s defining moment came just before the break. Real Betis, patient in possession, finally found a crack in the Atletico armor. Abde Ezzalzouli, lively on the wing, picked out Antony on the edge of the box. Antony needed no invitation—his left-footed strike arrowed into the bottom right corner, past the outstretched Jan Oblak. The away fans erupted as the scoreboard flashed: Atletico Madrid 0, Real Betis 1. It was a goal that spoke to Betis’s resilience and attacking quality, and it sent the teams into the interval with the visitors holding a slender but precious lead.
Atletico Madrid, for all their attacking firepower, faced further adversity. Already missing Pablo Barrios due to a thigh injury sustained in the cup, Simeone’s midfield options were stretched. Johnny Cardoso was ruled out with a muscle problem, and Alexander Sørloth’s availability had been in doubt following a recent head injury. Nico González was also a question mark, adding to the manager’s selection headaches. The predicted lineup saw Oblak in goal, with a back four of Pubill, Hancko, Gimenez, and Ruggeri. Koke and Llorente anchored the midfield, while Simeone, Baena, Lookman, and Alvarez provided the attacking thrust.
Real Betis, for their part, were not without their own injury woes. Sofyan Amrabat, Giovani Lo Celso, and Isco were all unavailable, while Hector Bellerin and Cucho Hernandez were listed as doubtful. Even so, Manuel Pellegrini’s men showed no signs of intimidation. Their recent 2-1 win over Valencia in La Liga had boosted confidence, and with 35 points from 22 matches, they were very much in the hunt for a European place.
The second half began with Atletico chasing the game. Simeone shuffled his pack, introducing Antoine Griezmann for Rodrigo Mendoza and Álex Baena for Thiago Almada in a bid to inject fresh energy. Robin Le Normand replaced Matteo Ruggeri, and Sørloth came on for Julian Alvarez. The hosts pushed forward with urgency, but Real Betis’s defense held firm. Every Atletico attack was met with a wall of green and white shirts, and Valles continued to frustrate the home side with a string of impressive saves.
Ademola Lookman, so influential in the cup, found the going tougher in La Liga. He was booked for a rash foul on Diego Llorente—a moment that summed up Atletico’s mounting frustration. Despite several promising moves and a handful of half-chances, including a close-range header from Lookman and a left-footed shot from Alvarez, the equalizer remained elusive. The home crowd grew restless as the minutes ticked away.
Real Betis, meanwhile, threatened on the counter. Cédric Bakambu and Abde Ezzalzouli both forced Jan Oblak into action, with the Atletico keeper making a series of crucial stops to keep his side in the contest. The visitors’ composure under pressure was impressive, and they nearly doubled their advantage when Álvaro Fidalgo’s shot from the center of the box flew just over the bar following a corner.
With time running out, Atletico threw everything forward. Corner after corner rained in, but Valles stood tall, denying Giménez twice with acrobatic saves. The final whistle brought relief for Real Betis and disappointment for Atletico Madrid, who had dominated possession and territory but simply could not find a way through.
For Atletico Madrid, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after the highs of their 5-0 Copa del Rey triumph just days earlier. The loss left them ten points behind leaders Barcelona and put renewed pressure on their top-four ambitions. Simeone’s men will need to regroup quickly, with a crucial semi-final clash against Barcelona looming on the horizon.
Real Betis, on the other hand, will savor this hard-fought victory. After the embarrassment in the cup, they responded with character and tactical discipline. The win keeps them in fifth place, firmly in the mix for European qualification, and sends a message that they can compete with La Liga’s elite—even on the road.
As the dust settles on a dramatic evening at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, both teams know the season is far from over. Atletico Madrid must rediscover their clinical edge, while Real Betis will look to build on this momentum. In a league as unpredictable and fiercely contested as La Liga, there are sure to be more twists and turns ahead.