Atlético edge Alavés 2-1 after Cuti Romero's late winner at Mendizorroza

Atlético de Madrid made it four wins in a row in LaLiga with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorroza. A late header from Cuti Romero, set up by a wonderful pass from Baena, broke the deadlock after Lucas Boyé had equalised from the penalty spot. Simeone's side struggled for long stretches and played with visible anxiety, but their superior quality eventually told against a home team reduced to ten men by Ángel Pérez's red card.

• Cuti Romero scored the winner with a header after an outside-of-the-boot pass from Baena.
• Grimaldo opened the scoring for Atlético with his first goal from open play in LaLiga.
• Le Normand was again punished for holding in the box and Boyé equalised from the spot.
• Alavés were reduced to ten men when Ángel Pérez saw red for a heavy tackle on Julián.
• Atlético recorded their fourth straight win, while Alavés have now gone four games without victory.

Grimaldo breaks the deadlock after Atlético take control

Alavés started with serious intensity. They pressed high, moved quickly and created an early warning through Ángel Pérez. Atlético absorbed that initial push and gradually took control of possession. From that moment the game changed. Simeone's men circulated the ball at speed, moved with purpose in attack and slowly wore down the home side.

Jonathan David had the first real chance but was denied by Sivera. Llorente also tried his luck, and a dangerous move from Barrios flashed across the box without a finisher. The goal felt inevitable. Grimaldo delivered it, scoring his third in LaLiga and first from open play. A slick combination ended with a one-two with the Canadian forward and a low, firm finish past the Alavés goalkeeper.

Le Normand's latest hold leads to a penalty for Alavés

Atlético almost doubled their lead immediately, with a shot that went just wide. They seemed to be cruising towards half-time with the advantage. But the match turned on another familiar incident involving Le Normand. The French centre-back held Toni Martínez inside the area. Again. After a review lasting more than five minutes, the referee pointed to the spot and Lucas Boyé converted with ease.

The earlier mistake from Lookman, who gave the ball away cheaply in the build-up to the equaliser, also deserved scrutiny. At the break, the Nigerian and Jonathan David stayed in the dressing room. Julián and Baena came on. Later, Kang-in Lee replaced Barrios, who was returning to the squad. Simeone moved pieces with a clear intention to regain control of the contest.

Alavés go down to ten and Atlético push forward

The second half shifted with Ángel Pérez's red card. The Alavés player went in with his studs up on Julián in a very heavy challenge. The Argentine tried his luck from the resulting free-kick and hit the post. With ten men and half an hour to play, Quique Sánchez Flores made a triple change: Protestoni, Mariano and Guevara came on to strengthen the midfield.

From there, the game was played almost entirely in Alavés territory. Atlético piled men forward, combined patiently and searched for gaps. Llorente tried with his left foot. Sorloth got his first minutes of the season. But the visitors grew increasingly anxious against a well-organised Alavés defence. Mariano had the clearest chance of the late period for the home side, but he fired over with everything in his favour.

Baena and Cuti Romero rescue Atlético late on

Just when Atlético were at their most stuck, Baena produced a moment of magic. The midfielder curled a pass with the outside of his boot into the box and Cuti Romero headed it cleanly into the net to restore the lead. The goal came at a time when the team was struggling most, trapped in a frustrating cycle of possession without penetration.

Six minutes of stoppage time followed. Alavés, physically exhausted, tried to summon one last push, but could not find a way through. Atlético, having worked so hard to get back in front, were never going to let the win slip away. It was harder than expected, but the Colchoneros extended their winning run in LaLiga.

The Metropolitano now awaits Manchester United

The win in Vitoria comes at a key moment, just before a major European night. On Tuesday, Manchester United visit the Metropolitano for the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Atlético arrive full of confidence after four straight league victories and will look to carry that momentum onto the continental stage.