Julián Álvarez netted two goals from the spot as Atlético Madrid defeated a performing Real Valladolid 4-2 on Monday in a La Liga clash.
The victory helps Atlético Madrid to seven points closer to league leaders Barcelona and three points behind Real Madrid in second position, pushing them in the race to win the league.
Valladolid, which had earlier lost its last 12 games, took a shocking lead when Mamadou Sylla scored a penalty after Clement Lenglet handled a corner.
Atlético Madrid scored back not too long ago with a penalty of their own, secured by Giuliano Simeone and scored by Álvarez.
Simeone, the son of Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone, did not wait long before he gave Atlético the lead with a great finish after a good pass from Pablo Barrios.
Valladolid equalized again when a free-kick by Javi Sánchez deflected off Conor Gallagher, wrong-footing Jan Oblak.
Marcos Llorente converted another penalty opportunity into a goal after he was attacked by Henrique, and Álvarez did well to score his 14th in the LaLiga this season.
Alexander Sørloth scored the last goal that gave Atlético Madrid the victory in the final minutes after Ferreira parried Álvarez’s effort.
The defeat pushed Valladolid to 14 points above relegation with seven games to go, but their relegation appeared inevitable.
