Atlético Madrid bounced back in emphatic fashion at the FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Seattle Sounders 3-1 at Lumen Field to reignite their Group B campaign. After a crushing 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in their opener, Diego Simeone’s men responded with grit, flair, and a standout performance from Pablo Barrios, who netted a brace to seal the win.
First Half: Barrios Opens the Floodgates
Atlético came out with urgency and purpose, clearly stung by their previous defeat. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Pablo Barrios rifled a first-time shot off the underside of the crossbar after a clever cutback from Giuliano Simeone. The goal capped a dominant opening spell for the Spanish side, who controlled possession and tempo.
Despite a disallowed penalty later in the half following a VAR review, Atlético maintained their composure and continued to press Seattle’s backline.
Second Half: Goals Galore and a Glimmer for Seattle
The second half exploded into life. Just two minutes after the restart, Axel Witsel, introduced at halftime, doubled Atlético’s lead with a poacher’s header after Marcos Llorente’s thunderous strike was tipped onto the bar by Stefan Frei.
Seattle briefly threatened a comeback when Albert Rusnák capitalized on a defensive lapse to pull one back in the 50th minute. But their hopes were dashed just five minutes later when Barrios struck again—this time a composed half-volley after Seattle failed to clear a long throw-in.
Tactical Adjustments and Key Performers
Simeone’s decision to rotate his midfield paid dividends. Rodrigo De Paul and Koke provided balance, while Julian Alvarez and Griezmann stretched Seattle’s defense. Defensively, Reinildo and Le Normand were solid, limiting the Sounders to just one shot on target.
Seattle, meanwhile, struggled to cope with Atlético’s intensity. Despite spirited performances from Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris, the MLS side now face elimination after two consecutive losses.
Redemption After PSG Rout
This win was crucial for Atlético, who were left reeling after their 4-0 thrashing by PSG in Pasadena. That match saw goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu, and Lee Kang-in, and exposed defensive frailties that Simeone clearly addressed ahead of the Seattle clash.
Now level on points with PSG and Botafogo, Atlético’s fate will hinge on their final group match against the Brazilian side—who stunned PSG 1-0 earlier in the day.
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