Espanyol vs Atletico player ratings- Baena’s late strike lifts Atletico within two points of Barcelona

Alex Baena scored an 89th-minute goal to secure a 1-0 away victory for Atletico Madrid against Espanyol on Saturday. The late strike moved Diego Simeone's second-placed side within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona. Substitute Julian Alvarez provided the assist for Baena, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak pulled off a crucial stoppage-time save against Pol Lozano to preserve the win, marking Atletico's sixth consecutive victory across all competitions.

Both sides struck the woodwork during the tightly contested fixture at RCDE Stadium in Cornella, with Leandro Cabrera hitting the crossbar for Espanyol and Marcos Llorente doing the same for Atletico Madrid. The match also saw Espanyol captain Javi Puado make his return to action following a long-term knee injury sustained in January.