Álvarez Shines As Atlético Madrid Humbles Real Madrid

‎Real Madrid’s perfect start to the 2025/26 campaign came to a dramatic end on Saturday evening as Atlético Madrid ran riot at the Estadio Metropolitano, sealing a stunning 5-2 victory in one of the most memorable Madrid derbies in recent years.

‎Xabi Alonso’s Los Blancos had arrived in the Spanish capital derby full of confidence, boasting seven wins from their opening seven matches across all competitions.

‎A win would have seen them stretch their lead over Diego Simeone’s men to 12 points after just eight games, but Atleti had other plans.

‎First-Half of Goals

‎Atlético’s intensity paid off inside the opening quarter of an hour. Giuliano Simeone whipped in a teasing cross from the left, and Robin Le Normand rose highest to power home a header past Thibaut Courtois, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.

‎Real Madrid, however, showed why they are LaLiga leaders. Against the run of play, Arda Güler threaded a perfect through ball to Kylian Mbappé, who made no mistake with a thunderous finish his 12th goal in just 10 matches this season.

‎The visitors then flipped the tie on its head when Vinícius Júnior’s pinpoint delivery was volleyed home by Güler, who turned scorer after his earlier assist.

‎Just as Los Blancos thought they had weathered the storm, Atlético struck back in first-half stoppage time. Skipper Koke delivered a superb cross that Alexander Sørloth nodded in between Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras, sending the sides into the break level at 2-2.

‎Atlético Dominate After the Break

‎If the first half was a rollercoaster, the second belonged entirely to Atlético. Within minutes of the restart, Real’s hero-turned-villain Arda Güler conceded a penalty after a reckless high foot on Nicolás González.

‎Julián Álvarez stepped up confidently, slotting past Courtois to restore Atleti’s lead.

‎The hosts didn’t let up. Courtois was forced into a brilliant save to deny Sørloth, but he was helpless when Álvarez curled in a magnificent free-kick to double the advantage.

‎Real Madrid, usually so ruthless in comebacks, looked stunned and bereft of ideas.

‎Simeone’s men sealed the humiliation late on when substitute Antoine Griezmann slid home a fifth goal, completing a statement win that could ignite Atlético’s stuttering season.

‎What the Result Means

‎For Atlético Madrid, this was more than just three points it was a message. After a shaky start to the campaign, Simeone’s side rediscovered their trademark aggression, efficiency, and ruthlessness in front of goal.

‎For Real Madrid, the defeat is a wake-up call. Their defensive frailties were brutally exposed, with Alonso’s young backline struggling to cope under pressure.