Atlético Madrid secured a vital 3-2 La Liga win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, April 26, 2026, as Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth fired the Colchoneros back to winning ways just days before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
The victory ended a four-match winless streak in La Liga for Diego Simeone’s side and provided a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Wednesday’s high-stakes European clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
According to verified match reports, Athletic Bilbao took an early lead through a well-worked corner, with Aitor Paredes outjumping Clément Lenglet to head home in the 23rd minute. The Basques went into halftime ahead, having limited Atlético to just one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
However, the second half saw a dramatic turnaround. Just five minutes after the break, Griezmann pounced on an involuntary pass from Dani Vivian to slot home with his left foot, leveling the scores at 1-1. The French international’s goal sparked a three-minute surge that completely shifted the momentum.
Sorloth then struck twice in quick succession to complete his brace and place Atlético firmly in control. The Norwegian forward first finished calmly after a swift counterattack before adding a second with a composed finish inside the box, making it 3-1 to the home side.
Athletic Bilbao pulled one back late on through a set-piece opportunity, but it was merely a consolation as Atlético held on for a 3-2 triumph. The result moved them temporarily clear of their rivals in the La Liga standings, although the primary focus now shifts entirely to Europe.
Speaking after the match, Simeone praised his team’s resilience, noting that even when dominated, his players can find a way to win through determination and clinical finishing. He specifically highlighted Griezmann’s instinctive finish and Sorloth’s impact off the bench as key factors in the turnaround.
The win sets up a fascinating semi-final clash with Arsenal, who eliminated Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. The first leg will seize place at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 30, 2026, with the return leg at the Emirates Stadium one week later.
Atlético will be looking to maintain this renewed momentum as they aim to reach their first Champions League final since 2016. For Arsenal, it represents a chance to reach the showpiece event for the first time since their invincible season in 2006.
The victory over Bilbao also provided valuable minutes for several squad players ahead of the Arsenal tie, with Simeone likely to rotate his starting XI slightly for the European encounter while keeping his core attacking threats intact.
As the Colchoneros prepare to face Mikel Arteta’s side, the immediate priority is carrying the belief generated from this hard-fought La Liga win into what promises to be one of the most compelling semi-finals of the season.
Fans can follow live updates and post-match analysis from the Arsenal clash exclusively on Archysport, with comprehensive coverage beginning at match time on Wednesday.
