Villarreal and Atlético Madrid kicked off their La Liga season with an exhilarating 2-2 draw at Estadio de la Cerámica, continuing a recent trend of high-scoring encounters between the two teams. The match saw all four goals scored in an action-packed first half, setting the tone for a season opener filled with intensity and drama.
The game started slowly, but it quickly gained momentum around the 15-minute mark. Atlético Madrid’s Marcos Llorente was instrumental in this shift, nearly assisting on two occasions with dangerous crosses from the right side. Samuel Lino’s header from the first cross was expertly tipped over the bar by Villarreal’s debutant goalkeeper, Diego Conde. The second cross was turned in by Reinildo Mandava, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Villarreal, who had offered little in attack up to that point, took the lead in the 18th minute. Arnaut Danjuma, back in Spain after a loan spell in the Premier League, outpaced Axel Witsel to latch onto a long ball and slotted home from a tight angle. It was Danjuma’s first La Liga goal since October 2022, and it provided the Yellow Submarine with a much-needed boost.
However, Villarreal’s lead was short-lived. Just minutes after Danjuma’s strike, Atlético responded through Marcos Llorente, who had been involved in nearly every meaningful attack for the visitors. After a clever exchange with Antoine Griezmann, Llorente unleashed a powerful shot that found the roof of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
As the first half continued, Atlético looked to seize control. Samuel Lino nearly restored their lead when he met a Koke cross, but his effort struck the post. Villarreal capitalized on their good fortune almost immediately. From a corner won by Danjuma, Álex Baena delivered a cross that caused confusion in the Atlético defense. Jan Oblak, usually reliable, misjudged the flight of the ball, and it bounced off Koke and into the net for an own goal, putting Villarreal back in front.
The drama of the first half was far from over. In the dying moments of the period, Atlético’s new signing, Alexander Sørloth, made his presence felt. The Norwegian striker, who had previously played at Estadio de la Cerámica, powered home a header from a Pablo Barrios cross, bringing the score to 2-2 as the teams headed into halftime.
The second half saw both teams make tactical adjustments, with Atlético manager Diego Simeone opting for substitutions. Despite the changes, Villarreal had the first clear chance after the break, with Baena’s free-kick hitting the side netting. The intensity of the first half was somewhat tempered, but the game remained on a knife’s edge.
As the match entered its final stages, both sides introduced fresh legs in search of a winner. New signing Julián Álvarez made his debut for Atlético, while Ayoze Pérez and Nicolás Pépé were introduced for Villarreal. Pépé came closest to breaking the deadlock with a curling free-kick that hit the angle of the post and bar in the 82nd minute, but neither team could find a decisive goal.
In the end, a point apiece was a fair reflection of a thrilling contest that had everything fans could hope for in a season opener. Both Villarreal and Atlético Madrid will take positives from their performances as they look ahead to the challenges of the new La Liga campaign.
