Marc Pubill stunner rescues Atletico Madrid in turbulent Villarreal draw

Atletico Madrid’s difficult start to the season continued as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Villarreal at the Wanda Metropolitano, in a match featuring two penalties, a red card and a late equaliser from Giuliano Simeone.

Villarreal were the more dangerous side for long periods and looked capable of taking all three points, but Atletico avoided defeat after surviving a chaotic second half. The result leaves Diego Simeone’s team still searching for consistency at the beginning of the campaign.

Atletico began the match under considerable pressure, with continued speculation surrounding the future of Argentina forward Julian Alvarez adding to the uncertainty around the club. Their preparations for the season have also been affected by the consequences of the World Cup.

The timing of the fixture made the challenge even greater, with Atletico now preparing for three successive away matches against Sevilla, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad.

Villarreal quickly demonstrated that they would not be overawed by the occasion. Nicolas Pepe went beyond Grimaldo and delivered the ball into the penalty area, where Marc Pubill intervened at the crucial moment to prevent Georges Mikautadze from finishing.

The visitors continued to look sharper as the opening period progressed. Their attacks were built with greater purpose, while Atletico struggled to move the ball quickly and lacked the final touch needed to break through Villarreal’s defence.

Ayoze Perez came close to threatening Jan Oblak before the Slovenia goalkeeper produced an important save to deny a powerful effort from Mikautadze. Atletico went into the interval with the score still 0-0, despite Villarreal having created the clearer opportunities.

The pattern remained unchanged after the restart. Villarreal maintained the pressure and Atletico found it difficult to build chances of their own. Mikautadze was presented with a direct one-on-one opportunity against Oblak, but the goalkeeper again kept his side alive with a decisive stop.

Atletico finally made the breakthrough in the 58th minute. The ball fell to Marc Pubill on the edge of the Villarreal penalty area and the young defender struck a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner to give the home side the lead.

Their advantage lasted only briefly. Villarreal were awarded a penalty after Hjulmand lost possession close to the edge of the box and then committed a foul. Gerard Moreno took responsibility and converted from the spot to restore parity.

Atletico’s situation became even more difficult when referee Hernandez Hernandez awarded Villarreal a second penalty following a review by the video assistant referee. The incident involved a challenge between Robin Le Normand and Mikautadze, and the Atletico defender was shown a red card, leaving the hosts with 10 men.

Mikautadze stepped up to take the resulting penalty and made no mistake, putting Villarreal 2-1 ahead and placing Atletico under intense pressure during the closing stages.

Julian Alvarez was on the pitch, but Atletico still struggled to impose themselves on the contest. Their response eventually came from Giuliano Simeone, who timed his run onto an excellent through-ball before finishing into the Villarreal net to level the match.

The equaliser lifted the mood inside the Wanda Metropolitano and Atletico pushed forward in search of a winner. Villarreal, however, remained organised and held on until the final whistle.

Both sides therefore took a point from a fiercely contested encounter, while Atletico were left to reflect on another performance that highlighted the difficulties facing them in the opening weeks of the season.