Atlético de Madrid fans packed the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday, August 23, 2025, eager to see their team bounce back after a sobering opening defeat in LaLiga. The air was thick with anticipation as Diego Simeone’s squad, still searching for its first win of the young season, squared off against an Elche side buoyed by a gritty draw against Betis just days prior. With 70,500 spectators in the stands and millions more watching around the globe via DSports, DAZN, Sky Sports, and ESPN Deportes, the stage was set for a classic LaLiga showdown.
The match kicked off at 19:30 local time in Spain, and it didn’t take long for the drama to unfold. Atlético, determined to erase memories of their stumble against Espanyol, wasted no time pressing forward. In just the 8th minute, the home crowd erupted as Alexander Sørloth found the net with a left-footed strike from the left side of the box, capitalizing on a precise assist from Dávid Hancko. The early goal sent a clear message: Atlético meant business, and they were hungry for redemption.
But Elche, under no illusions about the challenge ahead, responded with resilience and composure. Only seven minutes after Atlético’s opener, Elche launched a swift counterattack. Álvaro Rodríguez sprinted down the flank and delivered a pinpoint pass to Rafa Mir, who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper with his right foot, leveling the score at 1-1. The away fans, though outnumbered, made their presence felt, sensing that their team might just pull off something special in Madrid.
From there, the match settled into a tense, tactical battle. Atlético pressed high, seeking to exploit their attacking options, while Elche remained disciplined at the back, looking for opportunities to strike on the break. The first half was a flurry of corners, fouls, and near-misses. Notably, Alexander Sørloth and Giuliano Simeone both threatened the Elche goal, while Germán Valera and Pedro Bigas were instrumental in keeping the visitors organized defensively.
By halftime, the score remained locked at 1-1, and both sets of supporters knew they were witnessing a contest with all the hallmarks of a classic LaLiga encounter. The fourth official signaled six minutes of added time, and the intensity only ratcheted up further. Atlético’s Julián Álvarez and Elche’s Rodrigo Mendoza both found themselves in the referee’s book, emblematic of the physical, uncompromising nature of the duel.
As the second half got underway, both managers went to their benches, looking for the spark that might tilt the balance. Elche’s Victor Chust replaced John Donald at the break, while Diego Simeone orchestrated a flurry of changes around the 68th and 75th minutes. Giacomo Raspadori, Conor Gallagher, and the ever-dangerous Antoine Griezmann entered for Atlético, with Nahuel Molina and Javi Galán joining the fray shortly thereafter. Elche responded in kind, bringing on Martim Neto, André Silva, Federico Redondo, and Léo Pétrot to bolster their ranks.
The substitutions injected fresh energy, but neither side could find the elusive breakthrough. Atlético’s Griezmann, cheered on by the home crowd, forced a pair of sharp saves from Elche’s Matías Dituro, whose composure between the posts proved vital. Raspadori and Marcos Llorente each came agonizingly close, with Llorente’s right-footed blast in the 81st minute skimming just wide of the left post.
Elche, for their part, refused to be cowed. Rafa Mir continued to trouble Atlético’s back line, while Germán Valera and Álvaro Rodríguez orchestrated several promising counters. Defensive stalwarts like David Affengruber and Pedro Bigas stood tall, repelling wave after wave of Atlético attacks and ensuring that Elche’s hard-earned parity would not be easily surrendered.
As the clock ticked toward full time, the tension was palpable. The fourth official announced seven minutes of added time, and the Metropolitano faithful roared their team forward. In the dying moments, Raspadori and Griezmann each saw efforts saved or blocked, while Elche’s back line weathered a final storm of corners and crosses. The referee’s whistle finally sounded after 98 grueling minutes, confirming a 1-1 draw that left both teams with reasons for optimism—and plenty to ponder.
“It was a tough match, but we showed character,” said an Atlético player after the game, echoing the sentiments of many in red and white. “We wanted the win, but we’ll take the positives and keep pushing.” On the other side, Elche’s Rafa Mir, scorer of the crucial equalizer, reflected: “We knew Atlético would come out strong. Getting a point here is huge for us, and we’ll build on this performance.”
This result leaves Atlético de Madrid still searching for their first victory of the 2025/26 LaLiga campaign, while Elche can draw confidence from back-to-back draws against tough opponents. For Diego Simeone and his charges, the focus now shifts to correcting defensive lapses and sharpening their finishing touch. For Elche, the challenge will be to maintain this level of discipline and resilience as the season unfolds.
The match also provided a showcase for some of LaLiga’s emerging talents. Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, and Thiago Almada each had moments of promise for Atlético, while Elche’s Martim Neto and Federico Redondo made valuable contributions off the bench. The tactical chess match between the two managers, marked by timely substitutions and strategic adjustments, highlighted the depth and complexity of Spain’s top flight.
For fans following around the world, the game’s broadcast on DSports, DAZN, Sky Sports, and ESPN Deportes ensured that nobody missed a minute of the action. The global reach of LaLiga was on full display, with supporters from Argentina to Mexico, Spain to the United States, tuning in to witness every twist and turn.
As the dust settles on this fiercely contested draw, both teams will look to regroup and prepare for what promises to be an unpredictable and thrilling LaLiga season. Atlético de Madrid, still hungry for that first win, will aim to turn draws into victories, while Elche’s early-season resilience suggests they could be a handful for any opponent.
One thing’s for certain: if the rest of the campaign delivers the same drama and intensity as this 1-1 stalemate at the Metropolitano, LaLiga fans are in for a treat.
