Alex Baena double helps Atletico Madrid overcome Sevilla in La Liga

Atletico Madrid moved temporarily to the top of La Liga after beating Sevilla 3-1 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, with Alex Baena scoring twice in an impressive third-round victory.

Baena opened the scoring after only four minutes, meeting a pass from Kang-in Lee before finding the net to give Atletico an early advantage.

Ademola Lookman doubled the visitors’ lead in the 26th minute. The forward produced a fine finish after receiving the ball from Pablo Barrios, putting Atletico in control and strengthening their position before half-time.

Baena then added his second goal eight minutes later with a powerful strike that flew into the Sevilla goal. Atletico therefore reached the interval 3-0 ahead and in a commanding position.

Sevilla responded after the break and reduced the deficit in the 66th minute when Miguel Sierra scored from a move created by Ruby Yor. However, the home side could not find a way back into the match as Atletico secured a convincing away win.

The result takes Atletico Madrid to seven points from their opening three league matches, moving them into first place temporarily. Sevilla remain on six points and sit fifth in the early La Liga table.

Baena’s two-goal performance also created a notable club milestone. He became the first Atletico Madrid player since Angel Correa in the 2021-22 season to make a goalscoring contribution in each of the team’s first three La Liga matches of a campaign.

The victory was Atletico’s second of the season. They had drawn their previous fixture against Villarreal, having begun the league campaign with the points gained from their earlier match.

Diego Simeone’s side will now turn their attention to their next league assignment against Athletic Club, which is scheduled for Saturday in the fourth round.

Sevilla, meanwhile, will look to respond when they host Espanyol on Sunday in the same round of fixtures.

Atletico’s emphatic first-half display proved decisive at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Baena’s early finish settled any initial uncertainty, while Lookman’s goal and the midfielder’s second strike gave the visitors a three-goal cushion before the interval.

Although Miguel Sierra’s effort gave Sevilla hope midway through the second half, Atletico preserved their advantage to claim all three points. The result leaves them temporarily leading the division, while Sevilla will have to wait until their meeting with Espanyol for an opportunity to recover from their first defeat described in the opening three rounds.