Atlético Madrid continues to make history in a season to remember. On Sunday, Diego Simeone's side secured their 14th consecutive win with a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, marking the club’s longest winning streak in its 121-year history. The decisive goal came from Julián Álvarez, reaffirming his crucial role in the team and making it clear that Atlético won’t be an easy contender to dethrone for the rest of the season.

A tough, tactical battle decided by strategy

Atlético claimed the top spot in LaLiga in a match that, though challenging in the first half, was decided by a set-piece goal in the 55th minute. The play, meticulously crafted in training under the guidance of assistant coach Luis García Tevenet, began with a short corner from Antoine Griezmann to Rodrigo de Paul, who returned the ball to Griezmann. The Frenchman sent a cross to the far post, where Clement Lenglet headed the ball back for Julián Álvarez to control with his chest and volley into the net. It was Álvarez’s 13th goal of the season across all competitions.

The game started with Atlético struggling to find rhythm in their transitions and creating limited scoring opportunities. Both Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez were largely disconnected during the first half, in part due to Osasuna's strong defensive structure that cut off passing lanes and applied pressure across the pitch.

A renewed Atlético emerges in the second half

After halftime, Atlético returned with renewed energy. They pressed higher, won second balls, and pinned Osasuna back into their defensive third. The hosts’ persistence paid off through Álvarez’s goal, which proved to be the decisive moment. Following the breakthrough, Atlético contained Osasuna's attempts to respond and held firm until the final whistle, with the crowd at the Metropolitano celebrating another triumph.

Dominance at the top of LaLiga

With this victory, Atlético Madrid not only solidifies their position as league leaders but also sends a clear message to their closest rivals, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Atlético now leads Barcelona by six points and holds a one-point edge over Real Madrid. This achievement is even more remarkable considering that nine games ago, Atlético was trailing Barcelona by ten points.

Eyes on the prize

This winning streak also highlights the influence of Diego Simeone, who continues to raise the bar for the club. While Atlético has achieved a historic milestone, Simeone remains focused on the challenges ahead in the second half of the season. Maintaining this form will be crucial to their aspirations of lifting the title.