In one of the most electrifying Madrid derbies in recent memory, Atlético Madrid overcame a first-half deficit to dismantle Real Madrid 5-2 on Saturday, ending the league leaders’ perfect run. Julián Álvarez was at the heart of the comeback, scoring twice — once from the penalty spot and once with a sublime free kick — as Atlético roared back to life at the Metropolitano.
Momentum swings early and often
Robin Le Normand gave Atlético a dream start, heading them into the lead in the 14th minute. But Real responded ferociously. Kylian Mbappé drove through to level in the 25th minute from a swift counterattack, and Arda Güler volleyed Madrid into the lead just over ten minutes later.
Still, Atlético refused to buckle. Alexander Sørloth nodded in an equaliser just before halftime, restoring parity and setting the tone for a second half onslaught.
Álvarez leads the charge
The turning point came early in the second half. Álvarez converted a penalty after Real’s Güler was judged to have raised a high boot into Nico González’s face in the box. That goal shifted the balance.
In the 64th minute, the Argentine struck again, this time curling a free kick into the top corner past Thibaut Courtois — a moment of individual brilliance that put Atlético firmly in control.
To seal the night, Antoine Griezmann, off the bench, slid a composed finish beyond Courtois in stoppage time, completing a five-goal rout.
What this means for La Liga
The win propels Atlético up to fourth in the standings with 12 points, while Real Madrid still leads the table with 18, now two points ahead of a Barcelona side with a game in hand.
For Real, the defeat is a wake-up call. Coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged the defensive lapses and lack of cohesion, admitting the side “were not good enough” and need to learn from this setback.
Atlético, meanwhile, will breathe new confidence into Diego Simeone’s project. This was their first derby win since January 2024 — and the first time they’ve scored five against Real in 75 years. Simeone, visibly emotional after the final whistle, praised his squad’s belief, unity and tactical execution, singling out Álvarez for his impact.
Takeaways and next steps
- Real Madrid must shore up defensive weaknesses, particularly in aerial and transition duels, and reestablish balance across their backline.
- Álvarez’s rise continues. After a controversial penalty incident earlier in his career, he’s now central to Atlético’s attack and a focal point of their resurgence.
- Atlético’s depth and resilience were put to the test — and they passed convincingly. Whether this becomes a springboard or an outlier remains to be seen.
All told, this match changes more than three points. It injects fresh energy into the title fight and reminds the league that no lead is safe.
1 comment
What a ride! From Atlético dreaming big to Real Madrid getting a reality check, this match had it all. Julián Álvarez wasnt just scoring; he was basically writing his own chapter in a football soap opera, complete with dramatic penalties and free-kick magic. Poor Thibaut Courtois had a night he’d rather forget! Real’s coach sounding like he’d rather forget the game too. But hey, at least Atlético fans can finally say we told you so about that high boot! Now, if only Álvarez could teach his colleagues a thing or two about controlling the narrative… La Liga just got way more interesting!act two ai video