Sørloth is Atlético de Madrid’s hero

Diego Simeone had already celebrated a league title at the Camp Nou, won with a draw on the final day of the 2013/14 LALIGA EA SPORTS season, but he had never secured a victory in a single match away at FC Barcelona as a coach… until Saturday night. Sørloth18th attempt, the Argentinian was finally able to enjoy a savour victory against Barça in the Catalan capital, thanks to a 96th-minute winner from substitute Alexander Sørloth. 

FC Barcelona took a first-half lead courtesy of Pedri and dominated most of the stats, but Atleti showed their fighting spirit and stayed in the game. Several spectacular saves from Jan Oblak kept them within touching distance of their hosts, before a Rodrigo de Paul equaliser and a stoppage-time Sørloth strike completely turned the game around. 

The result means that Atlético de Madrid sit top of the 2024/25 LALIGA EA SPORTS table on 41 points as they enter the short winter break. That’s quite an incredible turnaround when considering Los Rojiblancos found themselves 10 points behind Barça after 11 rounds of action. By winning 12 games in a row in all competitions, including seven in a row in LALIGA EA SPORTS, Simeone’s side have soared up the table. Their Saturday night win at the Estadi Olímpic was their seventh away win in a row, a club record. 

Late goals are Atlético de Madrid’s speciality

Even as it seemed that this FC Barcelona vs Atlético de Madrid game was going to finish as a 1-1 draw, the pocket of travelling supporters in Montjuïc believed that a victory was possible. That’s because Atleti have scored so many late goals this season. Their record in first halves of LALIGA EA SPORTS matches in 2024/25 is 10 goals scored and nine goals conceded. In seconds halves, though, Los Rojiblancos have scored 23 times and conceded just three.

This is their seventh victory this season in which the winning goal has arrived in the 90th minute or later, after also achieving last-gasp wins against Athletic Club, RB Leipzig, RC Celta, PSG, CP Cacereño and Sevilla FC. Saturday’s win in Catalonia was particularly reminiscent of the wins away in Bilbao and in Paris, where Los Colchoneros kept their composure when late counter-attacking opportunities presented themselves, with Ángel Correa scoring both the winning goals in those previous two away fixtures. 

Sørloth is becoming a fan favourite 

This time it was Sørloth who produced the winning goal, his eighth in what is his first season in the Spanish capital. Having arrived in the same summer as World Cup and Champions League winner Julián Alvarez, it was always going to be a challenge for the Norway international to carve out a place for himself in the team’s attack. And, after missing several chances in a Champions League loss against Lille in October, there were major doubts hanging over him. 

However, Sørloth has completely turned his situation around. He has scored in five of his past seven LALIGA EA SPORTS appearances, and netted some crucial goals too, such as an 86th-minute winner against Deportivo Alavés or a 72nd-minute winner against Getafe CF. Even though he doesn’t start every game, he makes an impact when coming off the bench, as was the case against FC Barcelona, and he is averaging one goal every 97 minute in LALIGA EA SPORTS this term.

After finishing second in the Pichichi race last season, this is why Atlético de Madrid made the move for the giant centre-forward. The former Real Sociedad and Villarreal CF striker has now become the first player in LALIGA EA SPORTS history to win away at FC Barcelona with three different clubs while scoring in each of those victories. Sørloth is a difference maker and ensured that this trip to Barcelona had a different and happier ending for Atlético de Madrid.