Julian Alvarez scored the only goal as Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 on Saturday. The win closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to two points. Diego Simeone's side are second, with champions Barca hosting Real Madrid in the Clasico at Camp Nou. Alvarez netted for the second consecutive game, having grabbed his first of the season in Atletico's 1-1 Champions League draw at Stuttgart in midweek.
Alvarez had struggled with some fitness problems earlier in the campaign but looked much closer to his best form in this outing. The Argentina international found the breakthrough early in the second half. Alejandro Grimaldo fired in a dangerous low pass towards the far post, where Alvarez turned it over the line. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved well from Lorenzo Amatucci, while at the other end Diego Simeone's side lacked spark.
Home fans at the Metropolitano stadium directed a few whistles at the team in general after a slow start, with Deportivo having the best chance of the first half. Atletico supporters hounded Alvarez during his first appearances this season after he tried to force his way out of the club in the summer, but the tension has gradually cooled. Alvarez came close to a second after a slick team move, with Alex Baena slipping him in.
Deportivo might have levelled in stoppage time with Kevin Sanchez volleying well wide from Adama Traore's cross when well placed to trouble Oblak. The Galicians' best chance came with virtually the last kick of the game, with Oblak saving from Sanchez on his line, when the forward seemed destined to score. Alexander Sorloth lashed narrowly over from a tight angle as Atletico sought to kill off the game, unsuccessfully.
In another match, Georges Mikautadze snatched a late 2-1 win for Villarreal in a derby clash against Valencia. Valencia had midfielder Harvey Elliott sent off as both sides finished with 10 men. The Yellow Submarine came from behind to triumph, climbing into mid-table and leaving Javier Aguirre's Los Che 19th, in the relegation zone.
Pepelu sent Valencia ahead from the penalty spot in the first half before American defender Alex Freeman headed the visitors level at Mestalla stadium after 69 minutes. Inigo Perez's Villarreal had Pape Gueye sent off when the Senegal international hit Jose Gaya in the face with his elbow. English midfielder Elliott, on loan from Liverpool, was soon dismissed for two quick yellow cards for apparent dissent.
Meanwhile, in golf, the 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship was declared open by Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. The event, which drew over 250 golfers from across Nigeria, was seen as a testament to the fact that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business. Fubara renewed his administration's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of Rivers people.
Key points
- Alvarez scored his second consecutive goal in Atletico Madrid's 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.
- Villarreal beat Valencia 2-1 in a derby clash, with Georges Mikautadze scoring the winning goal in stoppage time.
- The 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship was declared open by Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
