Ademola Lookman started on the left and played the first half as Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 in La Liga. Julian Alvarez scored the only goal just after half-time, moving Atletico within two points of leaders Barcelona.
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Ademola Lookman started and played the first half as Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 in La Liga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday. It was the Super Eagles winger’s 10th league appearance of the season.
Lookman was named on the left of Diego Simeone’s front three, with Julian Alvarez leading the line, but Atletico struggled to break down Deportivo’s five man defence in the first half. He was replaced by Robin Le Normand at half time, along with Pablo Barrios, who made way for Giuliano Simeone. Fans following Nigerian players in Spain can check the YOHAIG Bet9ja opening deal.
The changes had an immediate effect. Three minutes into the second half, Alejandro Grimaldo crossed from the left and Alvarez finished from close range.
It was Alvarez’s first La Liga goal in eight months and his first home league goal in 11 months, and it came days after his equaliser at Stuttgart.
Deportivo threatened late. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a fine save to deny Kevin Sanchez in stoppage time, preserving the clean sheet. Readers new to betting can see Bet9ja promotion code key takeaways.
The win moves Atletico to within two points of leaders Barcelona, who face Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday.
Atletico’s six-game winning run in all competitions ended in the 1-1 draw at Stuttgart on Tuesday, a game in which Lookman set up Alvarez’s equaliser after coming on at half-time.
Simeone’s decision to change shape at the break may have been the difference. Lookman was being asked to link with Alvarez and Baena, but the first half lacked end product. Football fans can read Bet9ja bonus code explained.
Atletico travel to Levante in La Liga on October 31.
📌 Did You Know?
- Jose Gimenez, who played for Atletico for years, returned to the Metropolitano with Deportivo.
- Morten Hjulmand started for Atletico three days after being sent off against Stuttgart in the Champions League.
- Kang-in Lee started on the right and was replaced by Alexander Sorloth in the 67th minute.
- Alvarez’s previous home league goal had come on 1 November 2025 against Sevilla.
- Deportivo goalkeeper Leo Roman made saves to deny Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone.
