An early second-half goal was enough for Atletico Madrid to extend their perfect home record in all competitions to 12 matches, as they secured a 1-0 victory over an Alaves side that has yet to earn an away point in LaLiga this season.

Atletico have been relentless in front of goal, scoring first in all but one of their previous league fixtures. Jan Oblak was called into action early when he tipped a speculative Toni Martinez shot around the post, while Giuliano Simeone and Pablo Barrios both saw their efforts drift wide.

Simeone continued to threaten, chasing a Julian Alvarez through ball and forcing a smart save from Antonio Sivera after 15 minutes. Alaves retreated into a more defensive setup, but Simeone remained a constant danger, heading just wide from a Matteo Ruggeri cross.

Late in the first half, Simeone turned provider, laying the ball off for Alvarez, whose powerful strike from 20 yards was brilliantly deflected by Jonny Otto. In the closing seconds before the break, Alaves’ defenders scrambled to keep the score level, with Nahuel Tenaglia and Jon Pacheco blocking attempts from Thiago Almada, Barrios, and Simeone, ensuring a sixth consecutive goalless first half for Eduardo Coudet’s side in all competitions.

The second half began in similar fashion, with Atletico probing the Alaves defense. Alexander Sorloth narrowly missed a connection with Barrios’ low cross, but their persistence paid off just two minutes later. Barrios sent a precise aerial pass, allowing Sorloth to rise and head powerfully into the bottom corner, giving Atletico the lead.

Barrios nearly doubled the advantage before the hour mark, but Sivera was equal to Almada’s firm strike. With 20 minutes remaining, Alex Baena came close to sealing the win, curling a shot from the edge of the box that rattled the post.

Atletico, masters of tight encounters, held firm in the final minutes, claiming their eighth match in nine to be decided by a single goal or a draw. Meanwhile, Alaves’ struggles continued, with just one win in their last nine league games, leaving Los Albiazules dangerously close to the relegation zone.