Atletico Madrid secured a crucial 3-2 win against PSV, boosting their position to seventh in the Champions League standings. This victory was marked by a strong second-half performance. PSV, now in 19th
place, initially took the lead within 10 minutes when Ismael Saibari set up Guus Til for an easy goal. However, missed opportunities haunted them as Atletico capitalised on errors.
PSV could have extended their lead soon after Til's goal. Sergino Dest released Couhaib Driouech, but his extra pass allowed Marc Pubill to intercept. This missed chance proved costly when Yarek Gasiorowski's mistake gifted Julian Alvarez a simple equaliser for Atletico. Pablo Barrios had come close moments earlier, highlighting Atletico's growing threat.
The second half saw Atletico take control. David Hancko scored in the 52nd minute after Matej Kovar failed to clear Matteo Ruggeri's shot effectively. Just four minutes later, Alexander Sorloth headed home from a Barrios cross, extending Atletico's lead and dampening PSV's hopes further.
Despite being two goals down, PSV fought back late in the game. Ivan Perisic set up Ricardo Pepi with a header to reduce the deficit with five minutes left. Pepi almost assisted an equaliser shortly after, but Armando Obispo's header went wide, allowing Atletico to hold onto their lead.
Alexander Sorloth shone by both scoring and assisting in this match, marking his first such achievement in major European competition. His teammate Julian Alvarez has been involved in six Champions League goals this season, only behind Kylian Mbappe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
PSV's Couhaib Driouech also made history by contributing to six goals in his first ten Champions League appearances. He joins Cristian Tello as the only players to achieve this feat with limited starts. Despite PSV's loss, they recorded a higher expected goals (xG) of 2.61 compared to Atletico’s 2.29.
11 - Atltico Madrid's top scorers in the @ChampionsLeague: 39 - Antoine Griezmann 11 - Sal guez 11 - JULIN ALVAREZ Scorer pic.twitter.com/6b9qHsVFKU
- OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 9, 2025
PSV manager Peter Bosz might feel his team deserved more from the match given their xG advantage over Atletico. Yet, it was Diego Simeone’s side that emerged victorious through clinical finishing and capitalising on defensive lapses by their opponents.
This result strengthens Atletico Madrid’s push for a top-eight finish in the Champions League group stage while leaving PSV with much work to do if they are to climb out of the lower ranks of the standings.
