Atlético Madrid extended their winning streak in LaLiga with a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis Balompié at the Estadio Metropolitano, notching their fourth successive home triumph.
The result also delivered a major blow to Los Verdiblancos, whose hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League were dashed with this first away defeat since February.
Diego Simeone’s men came out firing, eager to maintain their perfect run at home, and struck early in spectacular fashion.
Inside the opening 10 minutes, Julián Alvarez stepped up to take a 30-yard free-kick and delivered a sublime right-footed strike that sailed past Adrián into the top corner, marking his 16th goal of the campaign, just one shy of Alexander Sørloth’s tally.
Sørloth nearly added to the lead moments later, meeting Marcos Llorente’s cutback with an inventive flick, only to be denied by the Betis goalkeeper.
The Norwegian forward’s night of frustration continued, with a disallowed goal for offside and a glaring miss after outmuscling the defence.
He was again denied when Giuliano Simeone slipped a well-weighted pass his way, only for Adrián to make a sprawling save.
Meanwhile, Alvarez almost grabbed his brace, weaving through Betis defenders before striking the post as Atlético dominated proceedings.
Despite all the missed chances up front, it was defender Robin Le Normand who added the second goal in first-half stoppage time. After Samuel Lino kept a corner alive, he floated the ball back into the box, where Le Normand rose to nod in his first goal of the season.
After the interval, Atlético’s attacking threat waned, with Sørloth again being denied by Adrián. The lack of cutting edge nearly cost them when Betis finally sparked into life midway through the second period.
Pablo Fornals picked out Giovani Lo Celso on the edge of the area, and the Argentine returned the favour with a delicate chip, allowing Fornals to volley home past Jan Oblak in acrobatic fashion.
However, any hopes of a Betis resurgence were swiftly extinguished with 15 minutes left. Antoine Griezmann combined with Simeone before unselfishly laying the ball across for Alvarez, who tapped in his second of the night.
In added time, Atlético completed their emphatic performance — and an 11th win in their last 12 home matches against Betis — when Alvarez teed up Ángel Correa. The Argentine rounded Adrián and slotted in the fourth, leaving the visitors’ defence helpless.