January 12, (THEWILL) – Julian Alvarez scored a decisive goal in the second half to propel Atletico Madrid to the top of La Liga following their 1-0 victory against Osasuna at the Metropolitano Stadium. The Sunday evening triumph extended their remarkable winning streak to 14 matches across all competitions, establishing a new club record.
The opening period proved challenging for both teams, with genuine opportunities remaining scarce throughout the first 45 minutes. Alvarez gave spectators a whiff of his attacking qualities, recording three shots on target before the interval, though none found the back of the net.
The breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute when Alvarez netted his 13th goal of the 2023/2024 campaign. The sequence began with a well-executed short corner, where Antoine Griezmann found Clement Lenglet positioned at the far post. The French defender subsequently directed the ball towards Alvarez, who finished with precision.
Despite controlling possession for extended periods, Atletico Madrid’s next meaningful attempt at goal came in the final minute of regular time. Angel Correa tested Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, but his effort was comfortably handled by the visiting shot-stopper.
The victory proved particularly significant as it moved Diego Simeone’s side above Real Madrid in the standings. Their city rivals are scheduled to face Barcelona later on Sunday in the Supercopa de Espana, adding further intrigue to the title race.
For Osasuna, the defeat extended their difficult run in La Liga to seven matches without a victory, increasing pressure on their position in the table as the season progresses through its middle phase.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
