By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 20, 2025 03:28 AM • 54 views
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid finally stamped their authority on the FIFA Club World Cup stage with a clinical 3-1 victory over hosts Seattle Sounders FC at a raucous Lumen Field on Thursday night. The win marked Atleti's first in the tournament and kept their hopes of advancing from Group C alive after a stuttering start. Pablo Barrios was the architect of the triumph, scoring twice in a composed and commanding midfield performance. Axel Witsel added another while Albert Rusnak offered Seattle a fleeting glimmer of hope that was quickly extinguished. Having suffered back-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Brazilian side Botafogo in their opening fixture, Diego Simeone's men came into the clash under pressure. But from the first whistle, Atletico looked like a side determined to rewrite their Club World Cup narrative.
Fast Start, Faster Response
Atletico struck early, settling nerves when Barrios converted in the 11th minute after a neat exchange with Antoine Griezmann carved open Seattle's backline. The La Liga side continued to dominate possession and dictated the tempo with the kind of control their supporters had been yearning for in this campaign.
Witsel then made it 2-0 just after the restart in the 47th minute, capitalizing on slack defending to slot home from close range — a blow Seattle never fully recovered from, despite Rusnak's lifeline goal three minutes later.
But if the home fans dared to believe in a comeback, Barrios crushed those hopes in the 55th minute, completing his brace with a calm finish after a rapid counterattack orchestrated by Rodrigo De Paul.
Seattle Outmatched Despite Effort
Seattle Sounders, representing Major League Soccer with pride, found themselves outgunned in both experience and execution. Their early energy and the support of the home crowd weren't enough to unsettle a determined Atletico side. Rusnak's goal — a tidy strike from just inside the box — did momentarily energize the crowd, but it was ultimately too little, too late for Brian Schmetzer's side, who now face elimination after two consecutive losses. "We knew this was going to be one of the toughest matches we've ever played," said Schmetzer post-match. "Atletico are a world-class team, and they punished our mistakes. But I'm proud of the fight we showed, especially in the second half."
Atletico Back on Track
For Atletico, the win restores balance and belief. Simeone's side, often known for their defensive tenacity, showcased a more expansive approach in Seattle — with midfield dynamo Barrios stealing the headlines. "It was important to react after the first game," Simeone said. "We had to show character and quality, and tonight we did both. The players understood the moment and delivered." Barrios, who earned Player of the Match honours, reflected the team's renewed focus: "We were disappointed with our start to the tournament. But today, we showed what we're capable of. Now it's about staying consistent and finishing the group strong."
Group C Outlook
With three points now in the bank, Atletico Madrid find themselves back in contention for a knockout berth. PSG lead the group with four points, while Botafogo sits on three, having played one fewer match. Seattle remains at the bottom with zero points and will need a miracle to progress.
