La Liga: Real Betis hand Ademola Lookman 1-0 defeat on league debut for Atletico Madrid

by Devesh Jaganath

image La Liga: Real Betis hand Ademola Lookman 1-0 defeat on league debut for Atletico Madrid
After his blockbuster move to Atletico Madrid from Atalanta on the winter transfer deadline day, Ademola Lookman has experienced a mixed start to life in Spain. The Nigerian international made his La Liga debut on Sunday, but it ended in defeat against a motivated Real Betis.

Lookman unable to repeat heroics against Los Verdiblancos 

Ademola Lookman secured a move to Atletico Madrid just before the transfer deadline last week, but his La Liga debut for his new club ended in disappointment on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis at the Metropolitano Stadium. 

The Nigerian midfielder had an excellent tournament with the Super Eagles at the2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped the team to finish with the bronze medal by beating Egypt in the third-place playoff, which confirmed our football predictions. 

Upon returning to Atalanta from the AFCON, several clubs across Europe signalled their interest in the 28-year-old’s services, but the ability to work under Diego Simeone and better wage terms ultimately lured the midfielder to Madrid.

Lookman made his club debut for Los Colchoneros in the Copa del Rey against Betis last Thursday and played a starring role, scoring two goals and picking up an assist to lead his new side to a resounding 5-0 victory at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

However, it was a completely different situation on Sunday at the Metropolitano, where El Glorioso dug deep and restricted his influence, which led to Simeone withdrawing the Super Eagles ace in the 70th minute for Obed Vargas. 

During his time on the pitch, Lookman had 33 touches, though only four of those were in the opposition box. He attempted just two shots, neither of which was on target, and ended the match with 0.06 xG. 

Mbappe helps Real Madrid maintain pressure on Barca 

mbappe_vs_valencia

Following Atletico Madrid’s defeat to Betis on Sunday, focus quickly shifted to the Mestalla Stadium, where Valencia were taking on Real Madrid, with Los Blancos looking to maintain pressure on Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings. 

Blaugrana moved to 58 points in 23 games and extended their advantage at the summit to four points on Saturday with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mallorca, thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal. 

Los Merengues began their match in Valencia poorly and went into the halftime interval goalless, but they returned much-improved in the second period and got their breakthrough in the 65th minute through Alvaro Carreras before Kylian Mbappe secured the points in stoppage time. 

While the team has not been at its best this season, the Frenchman is having a remarkable campaign, now leading the league on 23 goals in 22 league matches, while he is also the top scorer in the Champions League with 13 goals in the League Phase.