Leganés Shock Atlético Madrid to End 15-Game Winning Streak

LaLiga leaders Atlético Madrid suffered a setback in their title quest as their 15-game winning streak across all competitions came to a halt with a shock 1-0 loss to Leganés. Matija Nastasić’s second-half header and Antoine Griezmann’s missed penalty handed the hosts their first-ever top-flight victory over Atleti, boosting their fight against relegation.

Leganés, buoyed by their midweek Copa del Rey triumph, started on the front foot, with Juan Cruz narrowly missing an early chance. However, Atleti soon found their rhythm, dominating possession and creating opportunities. Julián Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Conor Gallagher all struck the woodwork in a frustrating first half for Diego Simeone’s side.

The breakthrough came early in the second half when Nastasić rose highest to meet Dani Raba’s corner, heading past Jan Oblak to give Leganés a shock lead. Despite Simeone introducing experienced reinforcements in Koke and Marcos Llorente, Atleti struggled to find their usual sharpness in the final third. Juan Cruz came close to doubling Leganés’ lead but fired over from a promising position.

Atleti were handed a golden opportunity to salvage a point in the dying minutes when VAR awarded them a penalty for a handball by Sergio González. However, Griezmann, typically reliable from the spot, dragged his effort wide, ensuring Leganés held on for a historic victory.

Analysis

Atlético Madrid: This loss exposed Atleti’s vulnerability when faced with a resolute defensive setup. Despite their dominance and numerous chances, they lacked the clinical edge to break through. Griezmann’s penalty miss underlined the pressure that comes with being league leaders.
Leganés: The hosts showed immense determination, combining defensive resilience with opportunistic attacking. Nastasić’s goal and the team’s ability to frustrate Atleti highlight their potential to stay clear of the relegation zone.

Key Stats

Leganés secured their first-ever top-flight win over Atlético Madrid.
Atleti’s 15-match winning streak across all competitions ended.
Antoine Griezmann missed his first penalty of the season.

What’s Next?

This defeat leaves Atlético at risk of being overtaken at the top of LaLiga by the end of Matchday 20. Meanwhile, Leganés move five points clear of the relegation zone, riding high after adding another giant scalp to their season following their December win over Barcelona.