Julian Álvarez inspired Atlético Madrid to a sensational 5-2 victory over rivals Real Madrid in a fiery LaLiga derby on Saturday, handing the league leaders their first defeat of the season after a perfect start.
A near-capacity crowd of almost 70,000 at the Metropolitano witnessed one of the most thrilling Madrid derbies in recent memory, as Diego Simeone’s side came from behind to deliver a statement performance that lifted them into fourth place on 12 points. Real remain top of the table with 18 points, two clear of Barcelona, who still have a game in hand.
Atlético’s intensity paid off early when Robin Le Normand powered in a header in the 14th minute. But Real Madrid quickly flipped the script: Kylian Mbappé equalized in the 25th with a clinical finish, and Arda Güler volleyed home from a Vinícius Jr cross just 11 minutes later to put Los Blancos ahead.
Right before half-time, Alexander Sørloth rose highest to head Atlético level, restoring belief to the home side. Moments after the restart, Álvarez coolly converted a penalty after Güler’s high boot caught Nico González inside the box.
The Argentine wasn’t done. In the 64th minute, Álvarez produced a moment of brilliance, curling a free-kick into the top corner to extend Atlético’s lead. Substitute Antoine Griezmann then sealed the emphatic victory in stoppage time, finishing off a swift counterattack that sent the stadium into jubilation.
The win marked Atlético’s first derby triumph since January 2024 and the first time in 75 years they had scored five against their city rivals. For Simeone, under mounting pressure after just one win in the club’s opening six fixtures across competitions, this performance was a timely reminder of his team’s resilience.
Álvarez, speaking after the match, described the night as “very special,” adding:
“We knew how important this match was. Even when we went behind, the team never stopped believing. Now we need to build on this.”
For Real Madrid, the defeat exposed defensive frailties, especially against aerial threats. Manager Xabi Alonso admitted his side simply weren’t at their best:
“It was a bad loss and we must learn from it. We made too many mistakes, but it’s still early in the season. There’s a lot ahead of us.”
The result gives Atlético a huge boost after a shaky start and sets the stage for a fascinating LaLiga title race.
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