Griezmann at the double as Atletico Madrid beats Levante in La Liga

Players of Atletico de Madrid celebrate a goal during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

MADRID, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid was made to work hard for a 3-1 home win over Levante in La Liga on Saturday.

Atletico took the lead in the 12th minute when Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan saved from Marcos Llorente, only for the ball to cannon into the goal off defender Adrian de la Fuente.

Levante was level soon after with a powerful header from former Atletico defender Manu Sanchez, before Griezmann's second-half brace decided the game.

Villarreal recovered from its UEFA Champions League defeat to Pafos in midweek with a 2-0 win away to Espanyol.

Gerard Moreno opened the scoring against his former club in the 43rd minute with a turn and a precise shot into the corner of the net, and Alberto Moleiro doubled the lead 11 minutes into the second half after Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic had made a fine save to deny Tajon Buchanan.

Ruben Vargas' 51st-minute penalty gave Sevilla a 1-0 win at home to Osasuna to end a three-match losing streak while leaving Osasuna with six defeats and a draw away from home.

Girona coach Michel Sanchez will breathe easier after a first-half goal from Viktor Tsygankov gave his side a 1-0 win at home to Alaves to lift it out of the relegation zone.

The weekend kicked off on Friday night with Elche and Real Sociedad drawing 1-1, as Alvaro Rodriguez put Elche ahead just before the hour and Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty saved a point for the visitors in the last minute. ■

Players of Levante UD celebrate a goal during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Alex Baena (front L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Manu Sanchez (front R) of Levante UD during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Giuliano Simeone (R) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Manu Sanchez of Levante UD during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Alex Baena (L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Carlos Alvarez of Levante UD during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Jose Maria Gimenez (L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Jose Luis Morales of Levante UD during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Players of Atletico de Madrid celebrate a goal during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Alexander Sorloth (L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Matias Moreno of Levante UD during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Players of Levante UD celebrate a goal during the La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante UD in Madrid, Spain, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)