Cristian Romero headed an 87th-minute winner as Atlético Madrid beat 10-man Alavés 2-1 at Mendizorroza and moved up to second in La Liga. Substitute Álex Baena set up the goal with an outside-of-the-boot cross, after Alejandro Grimaldo's opener had been cancelled out by a Lucas Boyé penalty.
Match facts
- Result: Alavés 1-2 Atlético Madrid (half-time 1-1)
- Competition: La Liga, Matchday 8
- Venue: Estadio de Mendizorroza, Vitoria-Gasteiz
- Scorers: Alavés - Boyé 45+6' (pen); Atlético Madrid - Grimaldo 33', Romero 87'
- Red cards: Ángel Pérez (Alavés) 61'
- Attendance: 17,741
- Next: Atlético Madrid v Manchester United, UEFA Champions League, Tuesday 13 October
How the match unfolded
Ángel Pérez fired just wide for Alavés in the sixth minute, but Atlético soon took control of the ball. In the 14th minute Jonathan David's shot was heading for the corner until Antonio Sivera saved it, and Ademola Lookman also had efforts blocked as Diego Simeone's side pressed.
The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. David played Grimaldo in on the left side of the box, and the Spaniard drove a left-footed finish into the net. Toni Martínez replied with a header that Oblak saved four minutes later.
Alavés were level before half-time. Robin Le Normand was penalised for a foul on Toni Martínez in the area and booked. Six minutes into stoppage time Boyé sent the penalty past Jan Oblak.
Simeone made two changes at the break, sending on Baena and Julián Álvarez for David and Lookman. Just after the hour the game turned. Ángel Pérez caught Álvarez with a late, lunging challenge, and after a VAR review referee Alejandro Quintero González showed him a red card in the 61st minute.
A minute later Álvarez's free-kick hit the left post. Atlético went on to dominate against 10 men, and Alexander Sørloth, Grimaldo and Baena all had attempts blocked or saved as Alavés defended deep.
The winner came three minutes from time. Baena curled a cross with the outside of his right foot to the back post, where Romero headed in from close range. Alavés could not respond in six minutes of stoppage time.
What the win means
Atlético finished with 22 shots to Alavés' eight. The win takes them to 19 points and second place, five points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Getafe 3-0 later on Saturday.
Romero, who joined from Tottenham, settled a game Atlético had controlled for long spells. Alavés, who held 32 per cent of possession, stay on 11 points.
What comes next
Atlético turn to the Champions League on Tuesday, when they host Manchester United.