Soccer
Atletico Madrid saw their record-breaking 15-match winning run end as a 1-0 loss to local rivals Leganes handed Real Madrid a chance in the LaLiga title race.
Diego Simeone’s side still sit top of the table, though Real Madrid are just a point behind and would leapfrog their city rivals if they beat Las Palmas on Sunday.
Atletico dominated the game with more than 60% of ball possession, hitting three strikes off the woodwork and seeing Antoine Griezmann miss a stoppage-time penalty that would have marked an equaliser.
The visitors paid a heavy price for too many squandered chances, with Matija Nastasic’s second-half header proving the difference on Saturday.
Dani Raba’s corner found defender Nastasic, who fired a towering header from the far post past goalkeeper Jan Oblak with what proved to be the winning goal.
All over in Leganés. pic.twitter.com/7E7X02ZNBT
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 18, 2025
Data Debrief: Leganes finally beat Atletico
Leganes had not won any of their previous nine meetings with Atletico in LaLiga, their longest winless run against an opponent in the competition (also nine without victory against Real Madrid).
However, Nastasic’s second-half strike ended that wait for a victory against Atletico, who missed the chance to make it nine straight victories in top-flight action this campaign.
Simeone will feel hard done by, having seen his side accumulate a dominant 2.52 expected goals (xG) to Leganes’ meagre 0.41, though a difference in finishing quality proved decisive on Saturday.
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