Key Takeaways:
- Atletico Madrid secured a 3-2 away win at PSV Eindhoven and moved up to seventh place in the Champions League standings
- The Spanish side’s goals were scored by Julian Alvarez, David Hancko, and Alexander Sorloth last night
- PSV ended a five-match winning streak and dropped to 19th position following the loss
Match Analysis
Atletico Madrid emerged victorious in an intense Champions League encounter at the Philips Stadion, defeating hosts PSV Eindhoven 3-2 and moving into the crucial seventh position, which guarantees automatic progression to the round of 16.
PSV, brimming with confidence from a run of five consecutive wins – including a remarkable 4-1 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield in the previous round – looked to capitalise on their momentum. Manager Peter Bosz maintained his attacking formation, selecting Guus Til, Ismael Saibari, and Kuwahib Drieu up front, with Paul Wanner, Joey Veerman, and Mauro Junior occupying midfield roles. Experienced Croatian Ivan Perisic began the evening on the bench.
Three goals, three points ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/ufZuKVy8KT
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 9, 2025
Atletico, in contrast, arrived with something to prove after successive La Liga defeats at Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao earlier this month. Diego Simeone opted for a strike duo of Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, supported by central midfielders Koke and Pablo Barrios, with Giuliano Simeone and Nico Gonzalez deployed on the flanks. Jan Oblak started in goal, while the defence comprised Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, and Matteo Ruggeri.
Goal Timeline and Key Moments
The match began brightly for PSV, as Kuwahib Drieu exploited space to set up Guus Til, who beat Jan Oblak in the 10th minute to give the Dutch outfit an early lead. Atletico responded by increasing the pressure and gradually gained control, forcing the hosts onto the back foot.
Atletico’s equaliser arrived in the 37th minute, with Sorloth providing the assist for Alvarez to finish from close range and make it 1-1. Following the interval, PSV tried to regain their advantage, but Oblak was alert to Veerman’s effort.
The visitors took command early in the second half as David Hancko, formerly of Feyenoord, pounced to score from a rebound in the 52nd minute after Molina’s shot was parried. Three minutes later, Barrios delivered a cross for Sorloth, who converted to extend Atletico’s lead to 3-1.
PSV boss Peter Bosz reacted with double substitutions, introducing Dennis Man and Armando Obispo in an attempt to revitalise his side. However, PSV found it difficult to generate genuine opportunities against a well-drilled Atletico defence.
With five minutes remaining, Ivan Perisic, recently brought on, provided a corner that was met at the near post by fellow substitute Ricardo Pepi. His effort pulled a goal back for the Dutch side, but Atletico responded by bringing on Robin Le Normand to shore up their defence, successfully closing out the final moments for a valuable win.
Statistical Summary & Standings Impact
| Team | Goals | Scorers | Current Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSV Eindhoven | 2 | Guus Til, Ricardo Pepi | 19th |
| Atletico Madrid | 3 | Julian Alvarez, David Hancko, Alexander Sorloth | 7th |
Atletico Madrid’s victory vaulted them into seventh place, guaranteeing a spot in the round of 16, while PSV’s defeat saw them slip to 19th in the standings. The match also ended the Dutch club’s five-match winning streak, underscoring the significance of the result in an intensely contested stage of the Champions League.
