Atlético Madrid 2-2 Villarreal: Alvarez introduced as Simeone rescues 10-man hosts | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid came from behind with 10 men to earn a 2-2 draw against Villarreal at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with Giuliano Simeone scoring five minutes from time after a chaotic second half.

Marc Pubill had put Atlético ahead shortly before the hour mark, but Villarreal turned the game around through two penalties. Gerard Moreno converted the first after Morten Hjulmand brought down Tajon Buchanan, before Georges Mikautadze scored from the spot after Robin Le Normand fouled him inside the area. Le Normand was also sent off following the incident.

Julián Alvarez was introduced immediately after Villarreal’s first equaliser as Atlético looked for more threat in attack, and the hosts eventually found a way back despite their numerical disadvantage. Álex Baena released Simeone on the right in the 85th minute, and the winger finished across Luiz Júnior to rescue a point.

As it happened

Atlético started on the front foot, with Alejandro Grimaldo testing Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior inside two minutes. Rodrigo Mendoza also forced a save midway through the half, although clear chances were limited at both ends.

Villarreal grew into the contest and began finding space behind Atlético’s defence. Georges Mikautadze went close twice before Jan Oblak denied him, while the Atlético goalkeeper was called upon again in first-half stoppage time to keep out Ayoze Pérez.

The breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute. Giuliano Simeone found Pubill outside the area, and the Atlético defender drove a left-footed strike into the top corner to give the hosts the lead.

It lasted only seven minutes. Morten Hjulmand fouled Tajon Buchanan inside the penalty area and Gerard Moreno sent Oblak the wrong way from the spot. Atlético responded immediately by bringing on Julián Alvarez, Pablo Barrios and Marcos Llorente as they looked to regain control.

The game then swung firmly towards Villarreal. Mikautadze was brought down by Robin Le Normand inside the box, with VAR confirming the penalty before the Atlético defender was shown a red card. Mikautadze converted from the spot in the 78th minute to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Atlético were a man down but continued to push. Their reward arrived in the 85th minute when Álex Baena slipped Simeone into space on the right side of the penalty area. The Argentine kept his finish low and across Luiz Júnior to make it 2-2.

Nine minutes of stoppage time followed and both sides still had opportunities. Oblak denied Buchanan at one end, while Alvarez saw a late effort blocked at the other, leaving the points shared after a frantic second half.