Elche turned possession into points at Estadio Martínez Valero, beating Atlético Madrid 3-2 in a lively LaLiga match shaped by an early red card and a late winner. The hosts had 72% of the ball and a 2.67 xG to Atlético’s 1.01, and they needed most of it to see off a spirited side that played with 10 men from the 30th minute.

Atlético landed the first punch when Nicolás González finished a neat move on 10 minutes, then Elche hit back through David Affengruber eight minutes later. Thiago Almada was sent off for denying a clear chance on 30 minutes, and Andre Silva rolled home the resulting penalty on 33. González levelled again just a minute later with a header, and it was 2-2 at the break after six minutes of stoppage time.

Second-half swing

Elche kept their foot on the ball and on the corners count. They finished with 13 corners to Atlético’s 3 and a 10-2 edge in shots inside the box. Diego Simeone sent on Antoine Griezmann, Pablo Barrios and Giuliano Simeone to chase it, while Elche freshened the attack with Josan, Lucas Cepeda and Álvaro Rodríguez.

The decisive moment came on 75 minutes. Affengruber clipped a smart pass into the area and Andre Silva steered in his second of the day. Referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández added three minutes at the end, but Elche managed the game well to keep all three points.

Numbers that told the story

– Possession: Elche 72% to 28% Atlético
– xG: Elche 2.67 to Atlético 1.01
– Total shots: 14 to 6, with 6 on target for Elche
– Big chances: 7 for Elche vs 2 for Atlético, though the hosts also missed four
– Crosses: 33 attempted by Elche, five found a target; Atlético were 0 of 6

Atlético defended deep under pressure, clearing 36 times and making more tackles, but Elche’s final-third volume told. The hosts made 654 passes to Atlético’s 259 and entered the final third 76 times.

Standouts on Sofascore

David Affengruber was the game’s standout on Sofascore with a 9.7 Sofascore Rating. He scored, assisted, created a big chance and completed 95 of 107 passes. Andre Silva finished with two goals from three shots for a 7.7 Sofascore Rating and drew the key penalty.

For Atlético, Nicolás González earned a 9.3 Sofascore Rating with a brace and three shots. Jan Oblak made four saves but was kept busy throughout and rated 6. Aleix Febas quietly bossed the middle for Elche with a 7.6, while Germán Valera created four big chances from the flank. Almada’s red card was the turning point and he finished with a 4.5.