Atletico Madrid Crush Seattle Sounders 3-1 in Commanding Must-Win Performance

Atlético Madrid overcame MLS outfit Seattle Sounders with a convincing 3-1 victory in a crucial encounter. The Madrid-based club will now meet Botafogo with an opportunity to secure their place in the knockout phase.

Diego Simeone's squad emerged with intensity from the opening whistle, determined to bounce back from their embarrassing loss against Paris Saint-Germain in their opening fixture. The Spanish side displayed aggression and threat throughout, breaking the deadlock after 11 minutes when Giuliano Simeone provided the assist for Pablo Barrios, who delivered a spectacular curled effort from distance that struck the crossbar before finding the net.

Following Barrios' opener, Atlético maintained their offensive pressure but failed to extend their lead despite troubling Stefan Frei's goal on eight occasions within the opening 25 minutes. Alexander Sørloth, in particular, squandered two remarkable opportunities from close quarters that left spectators stunned.

Near the conclusion of the opening period, Giuliano was fouled inside the penalty area and the official awarded a spot-kick. Nevertheless, the call was reversed following a VAR review and Atlético were unable to find a second goal before the interval, much to the joy of the supporters at Seattle's Lumen Field.

Atlético's goal-scoring difficulties were resolved within two minutes of the second half's commencement. Marcos Llorente unleashed a powerful strike from range that Frei parried with assistance from the woodwork. Unluckily for the goalkeeper, the loose ball reached Robin Le Normand, who squared it for Axel Witsel to convert their second goal with his initial touch after being introduced at the break.

Seattle struck back almost immediately. Obed Vargas delivered a cross that Danny Musovski nodded back across the penalty area, where Albert Rusnák arrived to unleash a shot that ignited Lumen Field as Seattle reduced the deficit to one. Nevertheless, Barrios completed his double in the 56th minute with a composed finish after finding space in the box, reestablishing Atlético's two-goal cushion.

Barrios' second strike proved decisive, as Seattle never regrouped and Atlético came closer to adding a fourth than the home team did to narrowing the gap once more. Simeone's men dominated proceedings until the final whistle, claiming a vital triumph that keeps them alive in the Club World Cup.

Atlético face another decisive clash against Botafogo to determine who advances to the next round. Seattle must hope for a miracle, requiring a substantial victory over the Champions League winners to have any chance of avoiding elimination.

Individual player assessments from the match are listed below.

Seattle Sounders Player Ratings vs. Atletico Madrid (4-2-3-1)

Ratings Provided by FotMob

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings vs. Seattle Sounders (4-4-2)

Ratings Provided by FotMob

Player of the Match: Pablo Barrios (Atlético Madrid)