Atlético de Madrid bid farewell to their fans at the Metropolitano Stadium with a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Betis, in the penultimate matchday of La Liga, before focusing on the Club World Cup. Julián Álvarez was the standout figure of the night: he scored the first goal with a spectacular free kick and scored again in the second half. Ángel Correa also stood out, scoring the fourth goal and possibly experiencing his last moments at the club.
The forward from Córdoba, world champion with the Argentina National Team, took charge of a set piece from over 30 meters at 9 minutes into the match. Despite the distance, he executed with power and precision, surpassing the wall and placing the ball in the corner.
In the second half, at 30 minutes, Álvarez made his presence felt on the scoreboard again after finishing a great team play led by Antoine Griezmann on the left side. That goal restored the two-goal difference after Fornals, assisted by Giovani Lo Celso, had scored for Betis at the start of the second half.
With this performance, the striker from Calchín reached 29 goals since his arrival at Atleti in the middle of last year from Manchester City. The Madrid club paid 75 million euros plus 20 in variables, an investment that quickly paid off, as Álvarez established himself as one of the most decisive players in the team managed by Diego Simeone.
In added time, Ángel Correa sealed the result by eluding the goalkeeper and scoring the definitive 4-1. The forward celebrated by kissing the badge, in what could have been a farewell, as his future might be in Liga MX, with Tigres UANL as a possible destination. If it materializes, it will end a stage of more than a decade with the rojiblanco team.
Ángel Correa saludó a los hinchas al término del partido
