Atlético Madrid maintained their unbeaten home record in LaLiga this season with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Levante, ending the visitors’ four-match head-to-head unbeaten streak and compounding their recent struggles, with just one point earned from their last four league games.

The hosts started brightly, with Pablo Barrios latching onto a ball over the top and racing through on goal, only for his effort to lack power as Mat Ryan made a comfortable save.

Atlético’s persistence was rewarded shortly after, continuing their streak of scoring first in every league game this season. Barrios’ low cutback was pushed by Ryan onto the knee of Adrián de la Fuente, who could only deflect the ball into his own net to give Los Colchoneros the lead.

However, Levante struck back midway through the half with their very first shot on target. Manu Sánchez found space at the back post to head home Jon Ander Olasagasti’s corner and level the score.

The visitors offered little else before halftime, as Ryan was forced into further action to deny headers from Giuliano Simeone and Álex Baena, keeping Levante in contention at the break.

After the restart, Atlético continued to dictate play, with Baena testing Ryan from distance and Matteo Ruggeri heading straight at the Australian keeper. With the match still finely poised, Diego Simeone turned to Antoine Griezmann on the hour mark — and the Frenchman made an instant impact. Moments after coming on, he swept home Marcos Llorente’s low cross with his first touch to restore Atlético’s advantage.

Levante threatened to draw level again when Goduine Koyalipou forced Jan Oblak into a superb save from close range, but Atlético made sure of the points soon after. Griezmann turned provider, setting up Julián Álvarez, whose shot was parried by Ryan — only for Griezmann to react quickest and tap in the rebound for his second of the night.

Levante thought they had pulled one back late on through Carlos Álvarez, but his strike was ruled out for offside after a free-kick delivery caused chaos in the box.

Atlético comfortably managed the closing stages to extend their unbeaten run in LaLiga to 12 matches since their opening-day defeat, while Levante’s woes continued — they have now lost all six league games in which they’ve conceded first this season.