Álex Baena delivered a dramatic late strike in the 89th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Atlético Madrid against Espanyol and intensifying the title race for La Liga leaders, Barcelona. This win places Diego Simeone’s side just two points behind Hansi Flick’s champions, who are set to face Real Betis later on.

Baena's goal, a powerful shot from the edge of the box, clinched an essential win for the Rojiblancos in a tightly contested match held in Cornella. Notably, this victory marks Atlético's sixth consecutive win across all competitions.

Both teams had opportunities in the first half, with Leandro Cabrera hitting the crossbar for Espanyol and Marcos Llorente doing the same for Atlético shortly after the hour mark.

The match also saw Javi Puado make his return for Espanyol after a long-term knee injury, while Julián Álvarez showcased his improving form as a substitute for Atlético. The decisive moment came when Baena converted a pass from Álvarez, sealing the win. Jan Oblak later made a crucial stoppage-time save from Pol Lozano to preserve the three points.

In other news, Real Madrid coach José Mourinho expressed that if he were Vinícius Júnior, he might have sought a summer exit due to ongoing racial abuse and fan hostility. Vinícius, who recently extended his contract until 2032, will miss the upcoming clásico against Barcelona due to a four-match ban following a red card.

Meanwhile, in Italy, Napoli faced a tough start to the season, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Venezia under new coach Davide Nicola. This marked Venezia’s first Serie A win over Napoli since 1942. Kevin De Bruyne had a penalty saved as Napoli struggled to find their footing, reflecting a disappointing season so far for Massimiliano Allegri’s side.