A late own goal by Domingos José Tavares Duarte handed Club Atlético de Madrid S.A.D. a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe CF at the Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The win extended Diego Pablo Simeone’s side to four straight LaLiga victories, while Getafe’s second consecutive defeat left them stranded in seventh place — seven points behind their visitors. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But in the cold, gritty world of Simeone’s football, it was enough.
Defensive Grind, Late Breakthrough
For 87 minutes, Getafe held firm. They didn’t just sit back — they dug in. Their 5-4-1 shape, anchored by veteran center-back Djené Da Silva and the ever-reliable Diego Rico, turned the Coliseum into a fortress. David Soria Sierra, the 31-year-old Getafe goalkeeper, made four crucial saves, including a fingertip stop on a Diego Pablo Simeone favorite — a low, driven shot from Álvaro Morata in the 62nd minute. He was named Player of the Match, even in defeat. That’s how hard Getafe fought.
Atlético, meanwhile, looked strangely off. Their passing was sloppy. Their movement lacked rhythm. They had 59% possession — but it felt like 39%. Club Atlético de Madrid S.A.D. registered 13 shots, but only two were truly dangerous. Their expected goals (xG) of 1.13 looked generous on paper. The real story? They couldn’t break through. Not until the 88th minute.
The Moment That Changed Everything
It came from a corner. Antoine Griezmann floated it in from the left. Domingos Duarte, Getafe’s 29-year-old Portuguese center-back, tried to clear it with his chest. Instead, the ball bounced off his sternum, looped over David Soria Sierra, and nestled into the far top corner. The stadium fell silent. The Atlético bench exploded. Duarte stood frozen, hands on his head, as if he’d just dropped a wedding ring into the ocean.
"It’s the kind of thing you dream about avoiding," Duarte said afterward, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve scored a few in my career. But never like this. Never against my own team. Never like this."
The goal wasn’t a mistake born of panic. It was a mistake born of pressure — the kind that builds when you’ve spent 87 minutes holding off the most disciplined team in LaLiga. Simeone’s men didn’t create brilliance. They created fatigue. And Duarte, exhausted from chasing shadows all night, paid the price.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Scoreline
Atletico Madrid now sit on 25 points from 12 matches — just two behind leaders Real Madrid. Four straight wins. Three clean sheets. And a defense that’s conceded just once in that span. This isn’t about flair. This is about survival. About grinding out results when the football isn’t flowing. That’s Simeone’s legacy.
"We didn’t play well," Simeone admitted post-match. "But we didn’t lose. That’s what matters. We know how to win ugly. And right now, that’s the only kind of winning that counts."
Getafe, meanwhile, are in freefall. After a promising start to the season — including a 2-1 win over Sevilla — they’ve now lost two in a row. Their attack, led by Borja Mayoral Moya, looked toothless. They had nine shots, but only one was on target. Their midfield trio of Mauro Arambarri, Luis Milla, and Mario Martín was overrun. The system worked for 87 minutes. Then it didn’t.
The Bigger Picture: LaLiga’s New Order
This result is a microcosm of LaLiga’s 2025-26 season so far. Real Madrid and Barcelona are still the giants. But the gap is closing. Atletico, once written off as past their prime, are quietly reasserting themselves. They’ve won 10 of their last 12 away games in the league. That’s not luck. That’s culture.
Meanwhile, Getafe — a club that’s spent most of its history as a plucky underdog — now finds itself on the edge of a relegation battle. Their 17 points are still safe, but the momentum is gone. Their next three fixtures: away to Real Sociedad, home to Villarreal, then a trip to Athletic Bilbao. That’s a minefield.
"We’re not out of it," said Getafe manager José Bordalás after the match. "But we need to find our identity again. Right now, we’re just reacting. We need to start leading. Otherwise, we’ll be watching the top half from below."
What’s Next?
Atlético Madrid travel to Valladolid next weekend, where they’ll look to make it five straight wins. Simeone has said he’ll rotate key players — but don’t expect him to change his approach. He believes consistency beats brilliance.
Getafe, on the other hand, have a week to regroup. They’ll train at their Ciudad Deportiva Getafe facility, analyzing footage of the own goal. They’ll also review their set-piece defending — a recurring weakness. Their next home game, against Valencia on December 1, could define their season.
Historical Context: The Rivalry That Never Was
There’s no real hatred between Getafe and Atlético. No history of bitter clashes. Just geography. Getafe is a southern suburb of Madrid. Atlético plays just 15 kilometers away at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. But culturally? They’re worlds apart. Getafe is blue-collar. Atlético is battle-hardened. This wasn’t a derby. But for 90 minutes, it felt like one.
Since their first meeting in 2004, the two clubs have faced off 28 times in LaLiga. Atlético have won 16, Getafe just five. The rest were draws. But never before has a Getafe defender scored an own goal to decide the outcome. Until now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Domingos Duarte’s own goal impact his standing at Getafe?
Despite the own goal, Duarte remains a key figure at Getafe. He’s played every minute of the last 18 league games and was named in the team of the week after the Sevilla win. The club has publicly backed him, calling the error "a moment of pressure, not a pattern." His contract runs until 2027, and there’s no indication he’ll be benched or sold.
Why is Atletico Madrid’s away record so strong this season?
Atletico have won 5 of their 6 away matches this season, conceding just one goal. Their compact shape, disciplined pressing, and Simeone’s tactical discipline make them exceptionally hard to break down on the road. They’ve also improved in transition — scoring 8 of their 16 away goals from counters this season, up from 3 last year.
What does this result mean for LaLiga’s title race?
Atletico’s win moves them within two points of Real Madrid at the top. With Barcelona struggling and Sevilla inconsistent, the title race is wide open. Atletico’s next four fixtures are winnable, and if they maintain their current form, they could be top by Christmas. Their defensive record (only 5 goals conceded) is the best in the league — a huge advantage in a tight race.
How has Getafe’s performance changed since their early-season success?
After winning 3 of their first 5 games, Getafe have won just 1 of their last 7. Their xG has dropped from 1.4 per game to 0.7, and they’ve failed to score in 4 of their last 5 matches. The midfield is overworked, and their full-backs are exposed on the counter. Without a creative playmaker, they’re too reliant on set pieces — which, as Sunday showed, can backfire.
Is Diego Simeone’s system still effective in modern football?
Absolutely. Atletico’s 1.13 xG average is low, but they’re winning games by being harder to beat than anyone else. Their defensive line averages just 0.8 goals conceded per game — the best in Europe’s top five leagues. Modern football isn’t just about possession and pressing. It’s about resilience. And Simeone’s team are the masters of it.
What’s the history between Getafe and Atletico Madrid?
The two clubs have met 28 times in LaLiga since 2004, with Atletico winning 16, Getafe 5, and 7 draws. Their most famous clash was in 2018, when Atletico won 3-1 in a dramatic 94th-minute comeback. This was their first meeting at the Coliseum since 2022, when Getafe held them to a 1-1 draw. Sunday’s result marks the first time a Getafe player has scored an own goal to decide the fixture.
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