Atletico Madrid delivered a stunning performance as they thrashed bitter rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in what turned out to be a chaotic and unforgettable first derby of the season. The star of the night was Julian Alvarez, who scored twice to steal the spotlight from Kylian Mbappe, exposing the glaring defensive weaknesses of Carlo Ancelotti’s men and handing Diego Simeone’s side a huge statement victory at the Metropolitano.
Despite moments of brilliance from Mbappe and the young talent Arda Guler, costly defensive lapses once again haunted Real Madrid. Individual errors from Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao opened the door for Atletico, who punished every mistake with ruthless efficiency in front of a roaring home crowd. The result not only boosted Atleti’s confidence but also raised serious questions over Los Blancos’ defensive organization and their ability to cope with high-pressure matches.
Early drama and Madrid response
The game got off to an electric start as Robin Le Normand powered home a header to put Atletico ahead within minutes. However, Real Madrid quickly showed their resilience. Kylian Mbappe equalised after 25 minutes, finishing calmly after an incisive through-ball from Guler, who was pulling the strings in midfield. Just moments later, the young Turkish playmaker turned goalscorer himself, slotting confidently past Jan Oblak to silence the home supporters and give Madrid the lead.
Yet, just as it seemed Madrid were settling into control, their backline crumbled once more. On the brink of half-time, Alexander Sorloth rose powerfully between Huijsen and Militao, nodding home a perfectly delivered cross to make it 2-2. Thibaut Courtois was left stranded, and Madrid’s defensive shakiness once again became the story of the night. The goal shifted the momentum back to Atletico, leaving Ancelotti’s men on the back foot heading into the break.
Alvarez takes control
After the interval, Atletico came out with renewed energy and immediately put Madrid under intense pressure. Their breakthrough came when Guler, who had earlier shone with a goal and an assist, turned villain after a reckless high boot inside the box caught Nico Gonzalez. The referee pointed to the spot, and Alvarez stepped up with confidence, firing into the corner to restore Atletico’s advantage. The Metropolitano erupted as the Argentine striker celebrated passionately with his teammates.
Alvarez wasn’t finished there. Minutes later, he produced a moment of pure magic to extend the lead further. Winning a free-kick on the edge of the area, the forward curled a sublime strike over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Courtois rooted to the spot. The precision, power, and technique left the home crowd in awe, as Alvarez firmly cemented his status as the man of the match and pushed the scoreline to 4-2.
Griezmann finishes the job
With Real Madrid desperately chasing the game, gaps opened up at the back, and Atletico exploited them with ease. In stoppage time, Antoine Griezmann put the final nail in the coffin. A flowing counterattack ended with the Frenchman receiving the ball on the edge of the box, and he calmly guided a low finish into the bottom corner to seal a remarkable 5-2 triumph. The stadium erupted once again as Simeone’s men celebrated a derby win that will live long in memory.
For Atletico Madrid, it was a night of attacking brilliance and defensive solidity when it mattered most. For Real Madrid, however, it was another painful reminder of their vulnerability at the back. With Alvarez outshining Mbappe on the biggest stage, this derby served as both a warning and a turning point in the season’s narrative. The pressure now lies firmly on Ancelotti to fix his team’s defensive flaws before they cost him even more in the battles to come.