Atletico Madrid 4-1 Real Betis: Alvarez double lights up the Metropolitano

Julian Alvarez inspired Atletico Madrid to a dominant 4-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday, sealing a third-place finish for Diego Simeone’s side.

With Barcelona having secured their place as La Liga champions on Thursday, there was little at stake at the Metropolitano Stadium.

The visitors have already confirmed a sixth-place finish, with Manuel Pellegrini putting out a rotated side, likely keeping Betis’ Europa Conference League final against Chelsea on May 28 in mind.

Alvarez opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a stunning free-kick into the top right corner from 30 yards out, comfortably beating Adrian’s hopeful dive.

Robin Le Normand then doubled Atletico’s lead on the stroke of half-time, netting a towering header in off Samuel Lino’s cross.

Betis regained some control in the second half with the introduction of Antony, Isco and Cucho Hernandez, and the visitors reduced the deficit in the 67th minute through Pablo Fornals’ acrobatic volley from the edge of the penalty area.

However, Alvarez quickly netted his second of the night, tapping in from close range off Antoine Griezmann’s centre eight minutes later to extend the hosts’ lead.

The Argentine capped off an excellent display with a stoppage-time assist, setting Angel Correa up to finish from a tight angle and seal a comfortable win.

Atletico sit third on 73 points, having already confirmed their place in the Champions League next season.

Great last game at home pic.twitter.com/ExOjLlWGTA

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 18, 2025

Data debrief: Atleti continue dominant home run over Betis

Atletico have not lost any of their last 12 home matches against Real Betis in La Liga, winning 10 and drawing one.

Moreover, they have won each of the last seven matches at the Metropolitano – the best run of consecutive home wins against Betis by any side in their entire top-flight history.

Griezmann, who has been key to many of Atleti’s home victories over Betis, extended his fine run against them with an assist for Alvarez’s second goal. He has now been involved in 10 goals in 12 home games against Betis, with six goals and four assists – his best home record against any side in La Liga.

Atletico ended the evening with an expected goals (xG) of 4.76, superseding Betis’ modest 0.92 xG quite comfortably.