On February 1, 2025, La Liga's Matchday 22 served up some surprising results, impacting the title race as the fight for the championship intensifies. Atlético Madrid triumphed over Mallorca 2-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium, inching closer to Real Madrid, who stumbled against RCD Espanyol, allowing the Catalan side to escape the relegation zone.
At the Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid delivered a solid performance, with key goals from Samu Lino and Antoine Griezmann sealing the match. Lino opened the scoring with a well-placed shot in the 26th minute, and Griezmann added another deep in stoppage time, solidifying Atlético's second position on the table. Following this victory, they now find themselves just one point behind Real Madrid with the derby looming just around the corner.
Despite the win, Atlético faced some setbacks, particularly with defender Le Normand receiving a yellow card, which will see him missing the upcoming derby. "To win a league, one needs to conquer challenging matches, and we've done just exactly this against Mallorca," said Atlético's head coach. The team's resilience was evident throughout the match, as they maintained pressure and controlled possession evenly.
On the other hand, Real Madrid's trip to Cornellà proved to be anything but routine. The league leaders suffered their first defeat since early December, allowing Espanyol to seize three pivotal points. An electrifying goal from Romero late in the game turned the tide for the home side as they capitalized on Madrid's defensive lapses.
The match began with both teams exchanging momentum, but Real Madrid seemed unable to find their rhythm. Vinicius returned from suspension and nearly scored, but his stunning individual effort was disallowed due to a previous foul by Kylian Mbappé. This controversy would not end there, as Madrid also voiced complaints over handling violations by Espanyol.
Real's difficulties compounded with the injury to defender Antonio Rudiger, who left the match with muscular constraints, requiring Raúl Ascensio to step onto the pitch. Throughout the second half, Espanyol showcased tenacious defense, with goalkeeper Joan García delivering standout moments to keep Madrid at bay, denying shots from stars like Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
García's astonishing saves allowed Espanyol to build momentum, culminating in their decisive counter-attack resulting from Romero's goal—strategically supported by Omar El Hilali's assist. This unexpected victory not only propelled Espanyol out of danger but served as a major statement as they continue to pursue survival against the dropdown threat.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti must now regroup his squad before facing Atlético Madrid, aware now more than ever how narrow the margins of La Liga have become. With the impending derby set to draw immense attention, both Atlético and Madrid now have everything to prove as they vie for the title.
The players and fans alike echoed the sentiment with each passing minute; the stakes continue to rise as the relentless battle for the championship intensifies, with every game inching ever closer to the climax of La Liga.