Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad: Suarez double drags champions back from behind

Luis Suarez scored twice in the second half to help champions Atletico Madrid come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak will feel he could have done better for both Sociedad goals as Alexander Sorloth finished off a slick, one-touch move to give La Real an early lead before Alexander Isak extended their advantage with a free-kick into the bottom-right corner shortly after the break.

Suarez gave Diego Simeone’s men a lifeline with a header, however, and hauled his team back on level terms by winning and then converting a penalty.

The draw means Sociedad return to the top of LaLiga having been briefly usurped by Real Madrid, who trail by a point but have the benefit of a game in hand. Atletico are up to fourth.

Just seven minutes in, Sorloth added the finishing touch to a lightning-quick Sociedad attack after the ball was won in midfield, prodding past a hesitant Oblak, who came off his line too late.

The goalscorer then linked up neatly with David Silva, playing a one-two with the veteran midfielder as the latter tested Oblak with a sharp effort from a tight angle on the right, with Suarez heading wastefully at Alex Remiro shortly after for Atletico.

Isak, having set up the opener, doubled La Real’s lead two minutes into the second half as Oblak could not keep out his low free-kick despite getting a hand to the shot.

Suarez pulled one back just after the hour mark, though, finding space in the box to deftly nod Joao Felix’s left-wing cross past Remiro before drawing a penalty from Mikel Merino – awarded after a VAR check – which he converted confidently, sending Remiro the wrong way to salvage a point for his side.

What does it mean? Sociedad go top, Atletico lose ground

Despite failing to see out the victory, Sociedad return to the summit, with Atletico left to rue an uncharacteristic performance from Oblak as they end the weekend two points behind neighbours Madrid and Sevilla and three behind La Real.

6 – Alexander Sørloth is the sixth Norwegian player to score a goal in LaLiga, the third to do it against Atlético de Madrid after Berg (2) and Odegaard (1). New. pic.twitter.com/exYjisoB1s OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 24, 2021

Isak replicates Ronaldo

With his strong attacking display, Isak became the first player to both score and assist in a LaLiga game against Atletico at Wanda Metropolitano – the last player to do so at the Vicente Calderon was Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2012, when the Portugal star scored a hat-trick and set up another goal.

Atletico continue unbeaten run against La Real

At home in LaLiga, Atletico are now undefeated in their last nine games against Sociedad (W7 D2) – the Rojiblancos’ longest unbeaten run at home against them in the competition since a run of 27 between 1956 and 1987 (W24 D3). However, it is unlikely to be celebrated by Simeone after they suffered a stumble in their quest to defend the title.

What’s next?

Atletico travel to face Levante on October 28, while Sociedad visit Celta Vigo on the same day.