Atletico Madrid Dominates Osasuna 4-0 to Keep Title Hopes Alive

The Riyadh Air Metropolitano crackled from the first whistle, and Atletico responded with the kind of ruthless performance that sends messages in September. Diego Simeone’s side dismantled Osasuna 4-0, a statement win that keeps them locked into the early Liga title race and reminded everyone that their attacking edge is very real.

David sets the tone – and makes history

The breakthrough came on 24 minutes, and it belonged to the man of the night. David, one of Atletico’s headline summer arrivals, struck to give the hosts the lead and instantly change the temperature of the game. From that moment, Osasuna were chasing shadows.

That goal did more than settle nerves. It carved David’s name into club history. With that first-half finish, he became the first Los Rojiblancos player in the 21st century to score in each of his first two La Liga matches. In a club that has seen its fair share of forwards, that is no small feat.

He didn’t stop at history. He drove the entire attacking performance.

Kang-in doubles up as Atletico cut loose

Osasuna survived until the break, but only just. Atletico swarmed them, pressed them, and forced them deeper and deeper. The second half brought the inevitable.

Nine minutes after the restart, the pressure finally broke them. David, now creator rather than finisher, slid a sharp, incisive pass into Lee Kang-in. The South Korean kept his composure, picked his spot, and doubled the lead with a cool finish that underlined Atletico’s control of the contest.

At 2-0, the result felt all but settled. Atletico refused to ease off.

Le Normand and Baena finish the job

The third arrived in the 63rd minute. Robin Le Normand stepped up to add his name to the scoresheet, stretching the margin and turning a comfortable night into a rout. Osasuna’s resistance had long since frayed; now it snapped.

By the 82nd minute, it was damage limitation for the visitors. Alex Baena capped the evening with Atletico’s fourth, driving home the dominance and sending the home crowd into full celebration mode. Every attack looked like it might bring another goal. The only surprise was that it stopped at four.

Osasuna left the capital with more questions than answers. The defeat leaves them stuck in 13th place, on just seven points from six games, and nursing the scars of a defensive collapse.

No Álvarez, no problem

All of this came without Julian Alvarez. The Argentine forward, still nursing a muscle problem, didn’t even make the matchday squad. Simeone had flagged his fitness issues before the game, prompting quiet concerns about whether Atletico would miss his cutting edge.

They didn’t. Not on this evidence.

Depth told. David led the line with authority, Kang-in offered movement and precision, and the supporting cast stepped in seamlessly. For a coach who has demanded more attacking variety over the past few seasons, this was the ideal response.

Derby storm on the horizon

The win lifts Atletico to 13 points from six matches, good enough for third place and, crucially, within striking distance of the summit. They sit just two points behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two teams everyone expects to be there in May.

Next up? No gentle build-up. Los Blancos come to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for a Madrid Derby that already feels loaded with consequence. A victory would not just fuel local pride; it would allow Los Rojiblancos to leapfrog their neighbours and tighten the squeeze at the top of the table.

For Simeone, this was the perfect tune-up. For Atletico, it was a reminder of what they can be when their attack clicks. For Osasuna, the task is simpler and harsher: regroup quickly, repair the damage, and try to reset at home against Rayo Vallecano.

Atletico have fired their warning shot. Now comes the real question: can they carry this fury into the derby and turn a strong start into a genuine title charge?