Match report: comeback by comeback, all the way to promotion | OneFootball

Speechless after what unfolded in Alcalá de Henares this afternoon. A hugely important match for Atlético Madrileño after the defeat in Murcia, and a win would pile the pressure on Sabadell and Eldense. It seems the red-and-whites have bounced back at home from the poor run of form of a few weeks ago and remain strong contenders for promotion.

Fernando Torres’ side, who were missing several notable players especially in defense, lined up as follows: Mario de Luis; Romeo Hueso, Gerónimo Spina, Adrián Corral, Marko Perovic; Javier Serrano, Martín Bellotti; Iker Luque, Rafa Llorente, Arnau Ortiz; Miguel Cubo. Salvador Esquivel, Javier Boñar, Dani Martínez, Julio Díaz, Javier Morcillo and Rayane Belaid were not in the squad, presumably due to a call-up with the first team, while Aleksa Puric and Mati Barboza were absent as they had to serve a suspension for accumulated bookings.

The match started at a blistering pace, as we have grown used to in recent weeks. Chances for both teams, with Dani Selma heavily involved for the visitors... but it would be Arnau — as usual — who made it 1-0. Though I wish it had counted, because I still do not understand how it was ruled out for an offside by Iker Luque. The worst part? The visitors took the lead from a corner. Same situation as against Antequera. Madrileño did not take long to respond, with a fine strike from Rafa Llorente finding the back of the net for 1-1. And in stoppage time, Escassi headed home for 1-2. Same situation as against Antequera. Are you getting it?

At the start of the second half, the Andalusians extended their lead with a goal from their right-back, who lofted it over Mario de Luis — he was not exactly at his sharpest today, but everyone has an off day. It was no longer the same situation as against Antequera, or so I thought as soon as I saw the ball hit the red-and-white net. But the reserve side responded again through a header from Javi Serrano from a Marko Perovic cross, giving Torres’ men some breathing room. The minutes passed until the 71st minute, and at that moment Alcalá became the capital of the red-and-white madhouse. Adrián Corral, with his left foot, scored an absolute screamer from a free kick into the top corner to level the scoreboard again.

Mind you, for me it comes as no surprise. Mainly because back in the 2024-2025 preseason he had already scored one or two like that with CUC Villalba, and he was the man in charge of set pieces for what is now called Atleti C. A left foot like a wand, which his team enjoyed once again. As if that were not enough, Corral himself whipped in a delightful corner onto the head of Miguel Cubo, who, taking advantage of a lapse in the Marbella defense, made it 4-3 with a header. And minutes later, after a rebound, Martín Bellotti struck from the edge of the visitors’ box and, with no opposition, made it 5-3. It had been more than a year since Madrileño last scored 5 goals in the Primera Federación. Yes indeed, same situation as against Antequera.

Of course, the scare came in the form of the opposition making it 5-4 in the middle of stoppage time, setting alarm bells ringing. There was a penalty awarded to Atleti for a shove while carrying the ball in the six-yard box, but it was ruled out for offside. And Koke Mota came close to a sixth when he tried to dribble diagonally past the entire opposing defense.

I almost forgot to mention that there was a debut in the team: Jorge Domínguez, a center-back from the Juvenil A side, played his first minutes for Madrileño at the age of 16. A whole career lies ahead for the promising defender, who is only confirming his fine footballing moment and the steady growth of his career.

With this win, Atlético Madrileño moves into provisional first place with 57 points, pending what Sabadell and Eldense do. On April 19 at 12:00, hours after the Copa del Rey final in which Atlético Sport will be involved, the red-and-whites will face CD Teruel at Pinilla. Permission to dream.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.