Betis 0-2 Atletico: Baena opens account as Simeone's team grab first away win

Atletico Madrid eased to a comfortable 2-0 win over Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, with Alex Baena netting his first goal for the club.

Match Report

Guiliano Simeone broke the deadlock just three minutes into Monday's LaLiga clash, rifling a powerful low effort into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area after Koke’s set-up.

Atletico dominated much of the first half, with Nico Gonzalez forcing a string of saves from Pau Lopez and Julian Alvarez firing narrowly wide on the counter midway through the half.

Ricardo Rodriguez came close with Betis’ best opportunity of the first half, sending a rocket from outside the box narrowly wide of the post.

But Baena doubled Atleti’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a superb curler from the left-hand channel, though Betis had a penalty appeal for handball turned down just moments earlier.

The hosts pushed for a response after the break, with Giovanni Lo Celso and Abde Ezzalzouli both testing Jan Oblak, but Diego Simeone’s side held firm to see out their first away win of the season in LaLiga.

Data Debrief: Simeone’s men extend unbeaten streak

Giuliano Simeone has now been directly involved in four goals in his last five LaLiga appearances (one goal, three assists) – equalling his tally from his previous 18 matches in the competition. Indeed, his opening goal after just 2:59 is Atletico’s fastest goal in the league this season.

Despite a lack of goalmouth action, Betis generated 1.10 expected goals (xG) compared to Alteti’s 0.64, suggesting that the hosts could perhaps consider themselves unfortunate not to get something more out of the match.

This win also extended Atletico's undefeated run in LaLiga to nine matches – their longest such streak since a run of 11 from May to October last year.

Diego Simeone has now won 19 LaLiga games against Betis. Only against Getafe (20) has he won more matches in the competition.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

3' GOAL! Betis 0-1 Atletico (Giuliano Simeone)

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16' Highlight from Betis vs Atletico

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30' Highlight from Betis vs Atletico

46' GOAL! Betis 0-2 Atletico (Álex Baena)

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Line-ups

Betis XI: Rodriguez, Bartra, Bellerin, P. Lopez, Amrabat, Roca, Cucho Hernández, Fornals, Antony, Abde Ezzalzouli, Natan

Subs: Adrian, Bakambu, Chimy Ávila, D.Llorente, Lo Celso, Ruibal, Álvaro Valles, Firpo, Riquelme, Sergi Altimira, Nelson Deossa, Valentín Gómez

Atletico XI: Oblak, Koke, Gimenez, Llorente, Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, N. Gonzalez, Álex Baena, Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Barrios

Subs: Griezmann, Lenglet, Sørloth, Musso, Galan, Molina, Giacomo Raspadori, Gallagher, Thiago Almada, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, Carlos Martín