Atletico Madrid boosted their Champions League top-eight ambitions with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at PSV Eindhoven.
Diego Simeone’s side climbed to seventh in the 36-team standings after a second-half surge, leaving PSV languishing in 19th place following the defeat.
PSV struck early, taking just 10 minutes to break the deadlock. Ismael Saibari set up Couhaib Driouech, who delivered a perfect pass for Guus Til to tap into an open goal.
The Dutch side came close to doubling their advantage soon after, but Driouech’s overambitious pass, after being released by Sergino Dest, allowed Marc Pubill to intervene.
PSV’s missed chance proved costly. Yarek Gasiorowski’s careless turnover allowed Julian Alvarez an easy finish to level the score before halftime.
Atleti emerged revitalized in the second half. David Hancko fired them into the lead in the 52nd minute after Matej Kovar failed to clear Matteo Ruggeri’s half-volley.
Just four minutes later, Pablo Barrios delivered a precise cross for Alexander Sorloth, who powered a clinical header into the net to make it 3-1.
PSV attempted a late revival. Ivan Perisic’s flicked header found substitute Ricardo Pepi, who pulled one back with five minutes remaining.
Pepi nearly created a dramatic equalizer moments later, but his cross was headed wide by Armando Obispo, allowing Atletico to hold on.
Sorloth had a standout night, recording both a goal and an assist in the same match, his first in major European competition. Julian Alvarez also continued his impressive Champions League form, contributing to six goals this season (four goals, two assists), a tally only surpassed by Kylian Mbappe (nine) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (seven).
PSV, meanwhile, have Driouech shining brightly. The midfielder has been involved in six goals across just 10 Champions League appearances, becoming only the second player in the competition’s history to reach that mark so quickly.
Remarkably, he has started only two of those games, matching the record set by Cristian Tello (four goals, two assists).
Despite PSV generating an expected goals (xG) of 2.61 compared to Atletico’s 2.29, they fell short in a thrilling encounter that underlined Atletico’s resilience and determination in Europe this season.
