Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol Highlights and Match Report

La Liga

8:00 PMFebruary 21, 2026

Regular Season - 25

Atletico Madrid

Show Score

4 - 2

HT:(1 - 1)

Espanyol

Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, Spain

How did the teams perform?

Atletico Madrid

World Class 0 Solid 0 Bang Average 0 Lucky 0 Shocking 0

0 Total Votes

Espanyol

World Class 0 Solid 0 Bang Average 0 Lucky 0 Shocking 0

Match Stats Lineups Head-2-Head Standings

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Match Stats

Ball possession

61%

39%

3.15

Expected goals (xG)

1.06

0.00

Goals Prevented

0.00

Attack

18

Total shots

8

9

Shots on target

2

6

Shots off target

3

3

Blocked shots

3

16

Shots inside box

5

2

Shots outside box

3

5

Corner kicks

3

0

Offsides

2

Passing

661

Total passes

410

570 (86%)

Accurate passes

320 (78%)

Discipline

8

Fouls

9

0

Yellow cards

1

0

Red cards

0

0

Goalkeeper saves

4

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Lineup

Atletico Madrid

4-4-2

13 G Jan Oblak (C) 5.9

3 M Matteo Ruggeri 58' 72' 8.7

17 D Dávid Hancko 6.3

18 D Marc Pubill 7.2

14 D Marcos Llorente 21' 7.3

22 F Ademola Lookman 58' 6.9

10 M Alejandro Baena 49' 7.3

5 M Johnny Cardoso 7.2

20 M Giuliano Simeone 49' 7.6

9 F Alexander Sørloth 21' 72' 9.0

7 F Antoine Griezmann 6.6

Substitutes

6 M Koke 61' Replaced by A. Baena 7.0

19 F Julián Alvarez 61' Replaced by A. Lookman 6.2

16 D Nahuel Molina 74' Replaced by M. Llorente 6.6

11 M Thiago Almada 74' Replaced by A. Griezmann 6.7

24 D Robin Le Normand 84' Replaced by G. Simeone 6.3

33 G Mario de Luis

1 G Juan Musso

2 D José María Giménez

15 D Clément Lenglet

21 M Obed Vargas

Espanyol

5-4-1

13 G Marko Dmitrović 6.9

22 D Carlos Romero 5.2

6 D Leandro Cabrera (C) 5.9

5 D Fernando Calero 7.0

38 D Clemens Riedel 6.2

23 D Omar El Hilali 5.9

17 M Jofre Carreras 6' 6.9

10 M Pol Lozano 6.5

4 M Urko González 6.7

24 M Tyrhys Dolan 6.9

19 F Kike García 5.6

Substitutes

18 M Charles Pickel

20 F Antoniu Roca

15 D Miguel Rubio

2 D Rubén Sánchez

12 D Jose Salinas

31 G Llorenç Serred

1 G Angel Fortuno

11 M Pere Milla 77' Replaced by Jofre 6.5

9 F Roberto Fernández 70' Replaced by K. Garcia 6.3

16 F Cyril Ngonge 83' Diving 70' Replaced by T. Dolan 6.5

8 M Edu Expósito 80' 70' Replaced by P. Lozano 7.6

14 M Ramón Terrats 57' Replaced by C. Riedel 6.3

La Liga Standings - Primera División

TotalHomeAway

Pos	Team	MP	W	D	L	+/-	GD	Pts	Form
1	Barcelona	28	23	1	4	77-28	49	70	L 16 February: Girona 2 - 1 Barcelona W 22 February: Barcelona 3 - 0 Levante W 28 February: Barcelona 4 - 1 Villarreal W 07 March: Athletic Club 0 - 1 Barcelona W 15 March: Barcelona 5 - 2 Sevilla
2	Real Madrid	28	21	3	4	60-24	36	66	W 14 February: Real Madrid 4 - 1 Real Sociedad L 21 February: Osasuna 2 - 1 Real Madrid L 02 March: Real Madrid 0 - 1 Getafe W 06 March: Celta Vigo 1 - 2 Real Madrid W 14 March: Real Madrid 4 - 1 Elche
3	Atletico Madrid	28	17	6	5	47-25	22	57	L 15 February: Rayo Vallecano 3 - 0 Atletico Madrid W 21 February: Atletico Madrid 4 - 2 Espanyol W 28 February: Oviedo 0 - 1 Atletico Madrid W 07 March: Atletico Madrid 3 - 2 Real Sociedad W 14 March: Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Getafe
4	Villarreal	28	17	4	7	51-33	18	55	W 18 February: Levante 0 - 1 Villarreal W 22 February: Villarreal 2 - 1 Valencia L 28 February: Barcelona 4 - 1 Villarreal W 08 March: Villarreal 2 - 1 Elche D 13 March: Alaves 1 - 1 Villarreal
5	Real Betis	28	11	11	6	43-35	8	44	W 15 February: Mallorca 1 - 2 Real Betis D 21 February: Real Betis 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano D 01 March: Real Betis 2 - 2 Sevilla L 08 March: Getafe 2 - 0 Real Betis D 15 March: Real Betis 1 - 1 Celta Vigo
6	Celta Vigo	28	10	11	7	38-31	7	41	D 14 February: Espanyol 2 - 2 Celta Vigo W 22 February: Celta Vigo 2 - 0 Mallorca W 01 March: Girona 1 - 2 Celta Vigo L 06 March: Celta Vigo 1 - 2 Real Madrid D 15 March: Real Betis 1 - 1 Celta Vigo
7	Real Sociedad	28	10	8	10	43-42	1	38	L 14 February: Real Madrid 4 - 1 Real Sociedad D 21 February: Real Sociedad 3 - 3 Oviedo W 28 February: Mallorca 0 - 1 Real Sociedad L 07 March: Atletico Madrid 3 - 2 Real Sociedad W 15 March: Real Sociedad 3 - 1 Osasuna
8	Espanyol	28	10	7	11	35-42	-7	37	D 14 February: Espanyol 2 - 2 Celta Vigo L 21 February: Atletico Madrid 4 - 2 Espanyol D 01 March: Elche 2 - 2 Espanyol D 09 March: Espanyol 1 - 1 Oviedo L 15 March: Mallorca 2 - 1 Espanyol
9	Getafe	28	10	5	13	23-30	-7	35	W 14 February: Getafe 2 - 1 Villarreal L 22 February: Getafe 0 - 1 Sevilla W 02 March: Real Madrid 0 - 1 Getafe W 08 March: Getafe 2 - 0 Real Betis L 14 March: Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Getafe
10	Athletic Club	28	10	5	13	30-40	-10	35	W 15 February: Oviedo 1 - 2 Athletic Club W 20 February: Athletic Club 2 - 1 Elche D 28 February: Rayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Athletic Club L 07 March: Athletic Club 0 - 1 Barcelona L 14 March: Girona 3 - 0 Athletic Club
11	Osasuna	28	9	7	12	33-35	-2	34	D 13 February: Elche 0 - 0 Osasuna W 21 February: Osasuna 2 - 1 Real Madrid L 01 March: Valencia 1 - 0 Osasuna D 07 March: Osasuna 2 - 2 Mallorca L 15 March: Real Sociedad 3 - 1 Osasuna
12	Girona	28	8	10	10	31-43	-12	34	W 16 February: Girona 2 - 1 Barcelona D 23 February: Alaves 2 - 2 Girona L 01 March: Girona 1 - 2 Celta Vigo D 07 March: Levante 1 - 1 Girona W 14 March: Girona 3 - 0 Athletic Club
13	Valencia	28	8	8	12	30-42	-12	32	W 15 February: Levante 0 - 2 Valencia L 22 February: Villarreal 2 - 1 Valencia W 01 March: Valencia 1 - 0 Osasuna W 08 March: Valencia 3 - 2 Alaves L 14 March: Oviedo 1 - 0 Valencia
14	Sevilla	28	8	7	13	37-47	-10	31	D 14 February: Sevilla 1 - 1 Alaves W 22 February: Getafe 0 - 1 Sevilla D 01 March: Real Betis 2 - 2 Sevilla D 08 March: Sevilla 1 - 1 Rayo Vallecano L 15 March: Barcelona 5 - 2 Sevilla
15	Rayo Vallecano	27	7	10	10	27-33	-6	31	W No match found D 28 February: Rayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Athletic Club D No match found W No match found D 16 March: Rayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Levante
16	Mallorca	28	7	7	14	33-45	-12	28	L 15 February: Mallorca 1 - 2 Real Betis L 22 February: Celta Vigo 2 - 0 Mallorca L 28 February: Mallorca 0 - 1 Real Sociedad D 07 March: Osasuna 2 - 2 Mallorca W 15 March: Mallorca 2 - 1 Espanyol
17	Alaves	28	7	7	14	26-38	-12	28	D 14 February: Sevilla 1 - 1 Alaves D 23 February: Alaves 2 - 2 Girona L 27 February: Levante 2 - 0 Alaves L 08 March: Valencia 3 - 2 Alaves D 13 March: Alaves 1 - 1 Villarreal
18	Elche	28	5	11	12	36-45	-9	26	D 13 February: Elche 0 - 0 Osasuna L 20 February: Athletic Club 2 - 1 Elche D 01 March: Elche 2 - 2 Espanyol L 08 March: Villarreal 2 - 1 Elche L 14 March: Real Madrid 4 - 1 Elche
19	Levante	27	5	7	15	29-45	-16	22	L 18 February: Levante 0 - 1 Villarreal L 22 February: Barcelona 3 - 0 Levante L No match found W No match found D 16 March: Rayo Vallecano 1 - 1 Levante
20	Oviedo	28	4	9	15	18-44	-26	21	D 21 February: Real Sociedad 3 - 3 Oviedo L 28 February: Oviedo 0 - 1 Atletico Madrid L 04 March: Rayo Vallecano 3 - 0 Oviedo D 09 March: Espanyol 1 - 1 Oviedo W 14 March: Oviedo 1 - 0 Valencia

Qualification/Relegation

• Promotion - Champions League (League phase)
• Promotion - Europa League (League phase)
• Promotion - Conference League (Qualification)
• Relegation - LaLiga2

Atletico Madrid overcame an early scare to defeat Espanyol 4-2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter, spearheaded by a double from Alexander Sørloth.

The Norwegian striker’s clinical performance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on February 21, 2026, proved crucial as Diego Simeone’s side fought back from a goal down. This significant victory bolstered Atletico’s position near the top of the league table.

Entering the match, Atletico Madrid sat in fourth place, aiming to solidify a Champions League spot. Espanyol, surprisingly strong in sixth, sought to continue their impressive season and challenge for European qualification. Both teams knew the importance of three points.

Espanyol shocked the home crowd just six minutes into the game. Jofre Carreras found space and fired a precise shot past the goalkeeper, giving the visitors an unexpected early lead. The goal silenced the fervent Atletico supporters.

Atletico Madrid, however, quickly regained their composure. In the 21st minute, Alexander Sørloth restored parity. Marcos Llorente delivered a perfectly weighted assist, and Sørloth calmly slotted the ball home to make it 1-1.

The equaliser sparked Atletico into life, but Espanyol remained resilient. Both sides exchanged attacks, though the home team began to exert more control. The first half ended with the score level, promising an exciting second period.

At the break, Atletico Madrid held the majority of possession but needed to translate their dominance into more goals. Espanyol’s early strike showed their threat on the counter. The strategic adjustments made by both coaches would be critical.

Atletico wasted no time seizing the initiative after halftime. Just four minutes in, Giuliano Simeone put them ahead. Alejandro Baena provided the assist, allowing Simeone to tuck away his finish in the 49th minute, turning the tide.

The home side extended their lead in the 58th minute. Ademola Lookman, with an assist from Matteo Ruggeri, drilled a shot into the net, giving Atletico a comfortable 3-1 advantage. This goal seemingly put the game beyond Espanyol’s reach.

Ruggeri was instrumental again, setting up Alexander Sørloth for his second goal of the night in the 72nd minute. Sørloth’s clinical finish pushed Atletico’s lead to 4-1, solidifying their command over the match.

Espanyol managed a late consolation goal in the 80th minute through Edu Expósito. The substitute showed good composure to pull one back, reducing the deficit to 4-2. Cristian Ngonge received a yellow card for diving shortly after.

Atletico Madrid’s victory was underpinned by superior statistics. They registered an expected goals (xG) figure of 3.15 to Espanyol’s 1.06. The hosts also had 18 total shots with 9 on target, compared to Espanyol’s 8 shots with only 2 on target.

This commanding 4-2 win allows Atletico Madrid to consolidate their strong position in La Liga, maintaining their push for a Champions League berth. For Espanyol, despite a brave effort and early lead, the result is a setback in their European ambitions.