TL;DR
Atlético Madrid defeated Valencia CF 2-0 in a match marking Diego Simeone's 1,000th game as manager, with goals from Iker Luque and Miguel Llorente. The victory allowed key players to rest ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder #61 Miguel Cubo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia on May 2, 2026. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder #61 Miguel Cubo celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia on May 2, 2026. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
An extremely youthful Atlético Madrid gave manager Diego Simeone an unexpected gift for his 1,000th match as a manager, by beating Valencia CF 2-0 at a seething Mestalla.
Second-half goals from substitutes Iker Luque (20) and Miguel Llorente âCuboâ (18) sealed a famous win on the East Coast, which allowed many first team players to rest before Tuesdayâs UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg.
Here are Into the CalderĂłnâs player ratings for this one.
**Player Ratings**
Juan Musso: Todayâs starting captain had very little to do, making it difficult to attribute any solid rating. Another clean sheet to his name will be greatly welcomed. **6**
Nahuel Molina: When we signed Molina in the summer of 2022, there was a compilation video of his Udinese goals circulating on (then) Twitter. The majority thought we were acquiring a potent goal threat of a full-back who was going to be the cure to the Kieran Trippier virus going around. Itâs fair to say we havenât seen what we thought we would, but watching him play today as an unhinged wing-back with licence to unleash ballistic missiles and make defense-splitting runs, itâs easy to imagine what might have been.
Oh wait, the World Cup is on the horizon. Nevermind, it all makes sense now. **8**
Javi Boñar: There was something brewing down the right side from earlier in the match, so it wasnât a surprise that the opening goal came from a Boñar-Molina link up play on that flank. At the moment when Luque had the ball in the back of the net, Boñar was on the penalty spot, as if he were a striker ready to poach on any loose rebound. **7**
: Tasked with taking on the towering in a man-to-man battle, Iâm not confident in saying the Spaniard had a good game. However, his man didnât manage to (legally) score, which has to indicate some success at least. In the many dead ball situations Atleti seemed to find themselves in, the ball would drop to Le Normand, who doesnât exactly possess the feet needed to put the rushed chances away. **6**
ClĂ©ment Lenglet: A pretty *tranquilo* day at the back for the Frenchman, which hasnât always been the case this season. He was made the designated outfield player allowed to speak to the referee, essentially confirming his vice-captaincy, showing once more that *El Cholo* actually likes the guy. **6**
: There was an obvious tactic in the first half to keep DĂaz as tight to the touchline as possible and allow the midfielders to fill in the gaps at the back that appeared as a result. That worked well as a lot of the play ended up flowing through his wing, but it felt at times like his teammates were left slightly frustrated with his decision-making. Nonetheless, there are positive signs that he is developing on a path that could see him challenge in the left-back position in the years to come. **6**
Rodrigo Mendoza: Itâs already clear that the technical ability possessed by Mendoza is at the level of a LALIGA player and thereâs no doubt of his position within this squad. Watching him play a role that spans three midfield lines only confirms this with his offensive contributions particularly standing out. There also seems to be an early hint of a leadership quality in him that comes out just as much in his play as it does in his body language and barked instructions. **7**
Javi Morcillo: There was once another Javi with long curly hair who looked as if he was going to be the one to take âs place as Atletiâs next rudder. But after loans abroad, finds himself stuck in the B team at 23 years old. signed from Sabadell in the summer with the expectation of playing alongside Serrano for AtlĂ©tico Madrileño, but has now been involved in three LALIGA matches â this one his first start. It seemed he played nominally as a defensive midfielder, with the tendency to slot between the two center-backs to keep the play ticking over as Koke so often does. His shooting and long-range passing can definitely improve before he makes the leap to a higher level more consistently. **6**
: âUnselfish and understatedâ is how I would describe the Mexican today. Like many in the starting lineup, it seemed his goal was to keep things simple and not be the one at fault for any mistakes, which served him well. Iâd be interested to understand where along the midfield *he* feels best, as the left-sided interior position didnât 100% suit him. **6**
: Another wasted opportunity for Almada to play the protagonist today. Heâll argue that playing in a front two surrounded by B team players isnât exactly the way to get the best out of him, but he continues to underwhelm in his debut season in Spain. **4**
: To be asked to start at the Mestalla stadium in an unfamiliar position alongside teammates you donât usually play your league football with is a tall order for anyone. Thatâs probably rational enough justification for a performance that was off the pace today, but the Moroccan picked up an invaluable hour in the first division nonetheless. **4**
**Substitutes**
Iker Luque: A well taken goal from someone who came on the pitch with a fearless attitude was great to see. If it wasnât for a great save, heâd have left Valencia with two to his name today. **7**
Miguel Llorente âCuboâ: What a moment for the 18-year-old who was the âcleverest in the classâ as they would say in Spain, playing to the whistle when the Valencia defence stopped completely. His finish was emphatic from a lovely reverse pass from . **7**
Koke: It wasnât a coincidence that a minute after he and a certain Prince entered the field of play, the first goal was scored. Koke made an obvious gesture of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and setting it to his rhythm that ultimately led to a comfy 2-0 win. **8**
Antoine Griezmann: Given an ovation by the Mestalla crowd as he came on, it was a special cameo from our talisman. The pass for Cubo was genius, following the way he brought the lofted pass under control. **8**
Aleksa PuriÄ: This guy has been monumental for AtlĂ©tico Madrileño this season, so it was nice to see him get on the pitch, even if it was for all of 30 seconds. **n/a**
