Atletico Madrid stunned La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a thumping 5-2 victory in a pulsating Madrid derby at the Metropolitano. The hosts produced their best performance of the season to end Real’s perfect league start and reignite their own campaign.
Atletico struck first when Robin Le Normand rose highest to head home Giuliano Simeone’s cross. Real Madrid responded swiftly, with Kylian Mbappe equalising with a clinical finish before Arda Guler put the visitors ahead following dazzling work from Vinicius Junior.
The home side refused to wilt and restored parity on the stroke of half-time. Alexander Sorloth met a lofted cross and powered a header past Thibaut Courtois, sending the game into the break finely poised at 2-2.
After the interval, Atletico seized full control. Nico Gonzalez won a penalty after being caught by Guler’s high boot, and Julian Alvarez converted coolly from the spot. The Argentine forward then doubled his tally with a superbly struck free-kick, Courtois getting a hand to it but unable to keep it out.
With Real reeling, substitute Antoine Griezmann capped the rout late on, slotting calmly past Courtois to seal an unforgettable night for the red-and-white half of Madrid. The result marked the first time since 1950 that Real had conceded five goals in a derby.
The win lifted Atletico provisionally to fourth in the table and gave their supporters reason to believe after a patchy start to the season. For Real Madrid, who had won their opening six matches under Xabi Alonso, the defeat was a harsh reminder of La Liga’s unpredictability. Mbappe’s strike took him to eight league goals, but even his brilliance could not rescue his side this time.
Jude Bellingham, returning to league action after shoulder surgery, struggled to impose himself, while lapses in Madrid’s defence were ruthlessly punished. Atletico, meanwhile, looked sharp and fearless, with Alvarez again the difference-maker after his midweek hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano.
As the final whistle blew, Diego Simeone’s men soaked up the roaring applause of their fans, celebrating a derby triumph that may yet define their season. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly with Barcelona poised to leapfrog them at the top if they overcome Real Sociedad.
