When Julián Álvarez unleashed that 30-yard free-kick into the top corner in the 10th minute, the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium erupted—not just for the goal, but because everyone knew what it meant. Atlético Madrid had just taken control of their destiny on the final day of the 2024/2025 La Liga season, and by the final whistle, they’d sealed third place with a commanding 4-1 win over Real Betis Balompié. The 25-year-old Argentine forward didn’t just score twice—he became the heartbeat of a performance that confirmed Club Atlético de Madrid as Spain’s third force, punching their ticket to next season’s UEFA Champions League group stage. The match, played before 62,269 fans on Sunday, May 18, 2025, was more than just a season finale. It was a statement.
From the opening minutes, Atlético Madrid dictated the tempo. Julián Álvarez wasn’t just playing—he was orchestrating. His free-kick wasn’t just a goal; it was a masterclass in precision, bending past Adrián Sánchez, Real Betis’ 37-year-old goalkeeper, who had no chance. The crowd’s roar wasn’t just for the strike—it was for the certainty it brought. After weeks of chasing points, this was the moment Club Atlético de Madrid stopped chasing and started claiming.
Just before halftime, Robin Le Normand rose like a monument at the back post, meeting Samuel Lino’s cross with a header that left no doubt. The French center-back, often overlooked in the attacking spotlight, had quietly become one of Simeone’s most reliable weapons. The 2-0 lead felt like a death sentence for a Betis side already preparing for their UEFA Europa Conference League final against Chelsea FC in Poland.
But Real Betis Balompié didn’t roll over. In the 67th minute, Pablo Fornals pulled one back with a breathtaking bicycle kick that arced over the outstretched arms of Atlético Madrid’s goalkeeper. For a moment, the visitors smelled a miracle. The 69-year-old tactician Manuel Pellegrini had thrown on Antony Matheus dos Santos, Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez (Isco), and Luis Fernando López (Cucho Hernández) in a desperate bid to salvage pride.
It wasn’t enough. Just eight minutes later, Julián Álvarez was there again—this time not with a curler, but with a tap-in. Antoine Griezmann slipped the ball across the six-yard box, and Álvarez, like a predator sensing weakness, pounced. The goal wasn’t flashy, but it was brutal in its efficiency. The Metropolitano exhaled. The game was over.
Then came Ángel Correa. The 30-year-old captain, often criticized for inconsistency, delivered when it mattered most. In the 96th minute, he cut inside from the right flank, danced past two defenders, and fired low into the bottom left corner. The assist? From Álvarez, who had chased the ball down and laid it off with a deft touch. It was poetic. The man who lit the fuse had handed the torch to the captain. The final score—4-1—reflected not just dominance, but control.
With 73 points, Club Atlético de Madrid finished four clear of Athletic Club Bilbao and three ahead of Villarreal CF. Real Madrid CF were runners-up with 77, while Barcelona FC had already lifted the trophy four days earlier with 85. But for Atlético Madrid, third place isn’t just about prestige—it’s about revenue, exposure, and the chance to compete against Europe’s elite. In the modern game, that’s everything.
Meanwhile, Real Betis Balompié’s sixth-place finish—59 points, 16 wins—means they’ll enter the UEFA Europa League next season. But their focus now is on Poland. They’ll face Chelsea FC on May 28 at the Stadion Śląski in Chorzów, and with key players rested, they’ll need to find their rhythm fast.
For Diego Pablo Simeone, this was his 14th season in charge. And yet, the Argentine coach still finds ways to surprise. His team finished with 22 wins, seven draws, and nine losses—consistent, resilient, and tactically sharp. They didn’t have the flair of Barcelona or the star power of Real Madrid, but they had grit. They had structure. They had Julián Álvarez.
The numbers tell the story: 62% possession, 18 shots to Betis’ 12, 8 on target. Even when Betis pressed in the final 15 minutes, Atlético Madrid held firm. Cucho Hernández rattled the post in the 89th minute, and Antoine Griezmann had two efforts saved—but the defense, marshaled by Robin Le Normand and Santiago Giménez, never cracked.
Spain’s top four teams qualify for the UEFA Champions League. With Barcelona and Real Madrid finishing first and second, Atlético Madrid’s 73 points were enough to edge out Athletic Bilbao (70) and Villarreal (67). Even without the title, finishing third guarantees group stage entry and a €100+ million revenue boost, making it one of the most valuable positions in European football.
Real Betis had already secured sixth place and a Europa League spot, so manager Manuel Pellegrini prioritized their upcoming Europa Conference League final against Chelsea on May 28. Key players like Isco, Cucho Hernández, and Antony were benched to avoid injury and fatigue, explaining their sluggish first-half performance despite later substitutions.
Álvarez’s brace and assist capped a breakout season—he finished as Atlético’s top scorer with 24 league goals. His free-kick was his 5th from outside the box this season, and his ability to combine clinical finishing with intelligent movement has made him one of La Liga’s most valuable forwards. He’s now a clear candidate for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Simeone’s contract runs until 2026, and this performance solidified his legacy. After years of criticism for playing "boring" football, his team now blends defensive solidity with attacking flair—led by Álvarez and Griezmann. The club’s board has publicly backed him, and with Champions League football secured, he’s likely to get more resources in the summer transfer window.
Atlético will rest before the 2025/2026 Champions League group stage draw in late August. They’ll begin pre-season training in July, with key targets including a new central midfielder and a backup striker. Álvarez’s form has triggered interest from Premier League clubs, but Atlético’s president, Enrique Cerezo, insists he’s not for sale.
In 2014, Atlético clinched the title on the final day against Real Madrid. In 2023, they lost 2-1 to Valencia and missed out on Champions League football. This year’s win is the most balanced: they didn’t need a miracle, didn’t rely on rivals, and delivered a complete performance. It’s the kind of result that defines a club’s stability—not just its ambition.
Nathan Roberson
That Álvarez goal was pure poetry. Not just the technique, but the timing - like he knew the whole season was leading to that moment. Atlético didn’t just win, they announced themselves.