Baena's screamer against Espanyol sparks celebrations all the way to South Korea

Atlético de Madrid made it six wins in a row as Álex Baena produced a moment of magic in the 89th minute against Espanyol. The midfielder received the ball from Julián Alvarez on the edge of the box, shifted it into space and unleashed an unstoppable right-footed strike that flew into Ángel Fortuño's top corner. The 0-1 sparked wild celebrations that went far beyond the pitch and the away end, reaching South Korea in a very special way.

• Álex Baena broke the deadlock in the 89th minute with a right-footed rocket into the top corner after a pass from Julián Alvarez.
• Atlético de Madrid secured their sixth consecutive win of the season.
• Fans in South Korea enjoyed the goal at 21:00 local time, right in prime time.
• Kang-in Lee was not on the pitch, but the strike was celebrated as if it belonged to the South Korean national team.
• The club keeps strengthening its growing bond with South Korea since the former Valencia and Mallorca man joined.

Baena's 89th-minute screamer seals a sixth straight win for Atlético

Atlético had already created more than enough chances to open the scoring earlier in the match. Espanyol held firm, though, and the game seemed to be drifting toward a frustrating draw as the clock ticked down. Then Julián Alvarez, showing his usual composure, spotted Baena's movement near the edge of the area and picked him out with a precise pass.

Baena took one touch to set himself and then fired a right-footed strike beyond Fortuño's reach into the top corner. The goalkeeper had no chance. The goal triggered an explosion of joy among the players, the bench and the travelling supporters, who watched their side claim another win to extend an outstanding run of form.

How Baena's late strike sparked wild celebrations in South Korea

The celebrations that followed the 0-1 had a global dimension that surprised even those involved. Thousands of South Korean fans followed the closing stages of the match live and erupted when Baena's shot hit the net. The scene resembled a major European night, but with a very distinctive touch: the growing affection of an entire country toward Atlético de Madrid.

The kick-off time helped keep the excitement high in South Korea. The match started at 14:00 in Spain, which meant it was 21:00 there. No need to stay up late or set an alarm: the goal arrived in prime time, with a large audience watching what the Colchoneros were doing away from home.

Kang-in Lee and Atlético's growing connection with South Korea

Even though Kang-in Lee was not on the pitch, his influence was felt from afar. In South Korea, Baena's goal was celebrated with a passion similar to that reserved for their national team. Since the South Korean midfielder arrived at the Metropolitano after spells at Valencia and Mallorca, the country has built an increasingly strong bond with the club.

That connection can be seen in daily coverage, the anticipation around every lineup and a fan community that grows with each match. The image of Baena scoring against Espanyol, celebrated thousands of kilometres away as if it were a triumph of their own, confirms that Atlético now occupies a meaningful place in South Korean football culture.

Plenty of chances before Baena's decisive moment

Atlético deserved to open the scoring much earlier. They created clear opportunities and controlled large spells of the game, but lacked accuracy in the final third. Espanyol's defence and goalkeeper kept the score level until the dying moments, increasing the feeling that the result could slip away despite the visitors' dominance.

Even though Kang-in Lee was not on the pitch, the goal was celebrated as if it belonged to the South Korean national team.

The pressure eventually paid off. The link-up between Julián Alvarez and Baena broke the deadlock just when a draw looked the most likely outcome. Those kinds of hard-fought wins, settled in stoppage time, reinforce the belief of a team that cannot stop winning.

What a sixth straight victory means for Atlético de Madrid

Six consecutive wins is no small achievement in such a demanding season. Simeone's side has found a consistency that allows them to dream of fighting for major goals in every competition. Each week they add more arguments, and this hard-fought win over Espanyol strengthens the squad's morale ahead of the challenges to come.

Baena's goal also broadens Atlético's attacking options. The team has learned to win in many different ways, with firepower from midfield, Julián Alvarez's creativity and a remarkable ability to stay calm until the very end. All of that has become part of the identity of a side that keeps improving.

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