Athletic Club thrash Atlético Madrid 3-0 with two goals in two minutes

Athletic Club delivered a commanding 3-0 win over Atlético Madrid at San Mamés, leaving Simeone's team with plenty to worry about after a second half to forget. The Basque side backed up their recent win at Balaídos and took full advantage of a collapse from the visitors immediately after the interval. Two goals in two minutes decided the contest and turned what had been an even first half into a rout.

• Athletic Club beat Atlético Madrid 3-0 with Trzic's first win at San Mamés.
• Nico Williams and Robert Navarro scored two goals in two minutes early in the second half.
• Sancet sealed the win in the 90th minute by pouncing on a loose ball from the penalty spot.
• Atlético have now dropped five points in their opening four LaLiga matches.
• Simeone made four substitutions after the 2-0 and Cuti Romero made his debut.

Even first half with chances for both sides

Atlético came out at San Mamés looking to strike early, sticking to the approach that had worked so well a week earlier. Kang-In Lee came close to opening the scoring with a right-footed effort that hit the post. The South Korean, who had assisted Baena in Seville, was involved in one of the clearest chances of the first period.

Athletic were not quiet either and tested Oblak's goal through second balls and crosses into the box. Iñaki Williams tried his luck with a turn and shot that went over after a corner kick. Trzic's team spent more and more time in Atlético's half, and Robert Navarro forced the Slovenian goalkeeper into a save with a strike toward the near post.

Before the break, Álex Baena remained Atlético's most dangerous player. The midfielder tried to catch Unai Simón off guard from midfield and then fired a powerful shot that the Spain international goalkeeper had to push away. Lookman also tested the keeper with an effort toward the far post in a first half that Simeone's men edged on points.

Two goals in two minutes punish Atlético's lapse

The restart changed the game completely. Atlético came out with their heads still in the dressing room and paid a heavy price. In a wide move that the visiting players claimed had gone out of play, Athletic built an attack that ended with a cross from Iñaki Williams. The ball deflected off Hancko and fell perfectly for Nico Williams, who headed past Oblak from point-blank range.

Barely two minutes later, Atlético took the kick-off and lost the ball immediately. The home side launched a lightning counter-attack that finished with a pass to the left flank for Robert Navarro. The winger beat Grimaldo and fired past Oblak with his left foot to make it 2-0 and send San Mamés into raptures.

Simeone reacted instantly. The Argentine coach made four substitutions at once, bringing on Koke, Julián Álvarez, Arnau Ortiz and Cuti Romero, who was making his Atlético debut. Lookman, Kang-In Lee, Hjulmand and Giuliano were replaced. Atlético switched to a 3-5-2, while Athletic responded with a 5-4-1 to protect their lead.

Atlético push but cannot find a way back into the match

With the score at 2-0, Atlético began to rush and Athletic found the perfect scenario to play on the counter. The Williams brothers and Robert Navarro became a constant threat to the visitors' back line. Nico Williams nearly made it three with a shot that clipped the crossbar.

Julián Álvarez was among the few bright spots for Atlético in the closing stages. The Argentine produced a sharp turn and shot that forced Unai Simón into action. However, the visitors' push was more about effort than genuine football. Simeone's side lacked the tools to cut the deficit and remained exposed to counter-attacks.

Sancet completes the rout in the 90th minute

Just as Atlético were throwing everything forward in search of a lifeline, the final blow arrived. In the 90th minute, Sancet appeared at the penalty spot to pounce on a loose ball and beat Oblak for a third time. The 3-0 confirmed a heavy defeat that leaves Atlético reeling.

The loss is a major setback for an Atlético side that had shown good signs during their first-half display in Seville. In just four matchdays, Simeone's team have already dropped five points and shown a worrying lack of consistency. Athletic, meanwhile, celebrate Trzic's first win at San Mamés and prove that their new project under the German coach is starting to deliver.

What is at stake for Atlético after the Bilbao defeat

The setback at San Mamés forces Atlético to react quickly in the coming weeks. Simeone's side cannot afford any more lapses in concentration if they want to stay in the race for the top positions in LaLiga. Defensive disconnects at key moments have become a recurring problem in this early stage of the season.

Simeone will have to work on his team's mentality, an area that has traditionally been one of Atlético's greatest strengths. The image shown in the minutes after half-time in Bilbao does not match the competitive identity that the Argentine coach has built over more than a decade in charge.

Cuti Romero's debut and the positives for Atlético

One of the few positives for Atlético at San Mamés was the debut of Cuti Romero in the red and white shirt. The Argentine defender came on as part of the quadruple substitution made by Simeone after the 2-0 and played his first official minutes for the club.

Julián Álvarez also showed a few flashes of quality in the second half. The Argentine forward tried to take responsibility in attack when his team needed it most, although he lacked the support required to trouble Athletic's defense on a consistent basis.