Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid: Atleti Smash Los Blancos 5–2 — Sørloth Torpedoes Madrid, Álvarez Double Seals Metropolitano Madness

Atlético rout Real Madrid 5–2 at the Metropolitano — Sørloth, Julián Álvarez and Griezmann star as Real’s perfect start ends in shock. Full recap, stats, lineups & watch info.

Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid — in one sentence

Atlético Madrid produced a stunning 5–2 victory over Real Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, overturning a Real lead with Alexander Sørloth’s towering header, Julian Álvarez’s second-half double and Antoine Griezmann’s late strike — a result that ends Real’s perfect start to the LaLiga season.

Why Atletico vs Real Madrid mattered

Derbies are about more than three points; this one reshapes narratives for both clubs:

For Atlético: A decisive statement that Diego Simeone’s side can outmuscle and out-think Real in the big moments. The win — built on aerial dominance, clinical finishing and match management — will revive belief in Atleti’s LaLiga credentials.
For Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso’s sixth straight league win streak snapped — but the manner of defeat raises tactical questions about defensive coordination, aerial protection and selection in high-stakes fixtures. Mbappé and Arda Güler did score, but Real’s second-half structure unravelling is the real story.
For LaLiga: A headline result that tightens title-chase storylines early, underlining that Madrid derbies still decide season momentum and that home advantage at the Metropolitano remains a real hurdle for Los Blancos.

Final score & essential match facts

Final: Atlético Madrid 5, Real Madrid 2.
Goals: Robin Le Normand (Atleti opener), Arda Güler (Real reply), Kylian Mbappé (Real), Alexander Sørloth (Atleti equaliser — header), Julián Álvarez (two, incl. penalty), Antoine Griezmann (late seal). Multiple sources list minute-by-minute events and confirm the five-goal Atleti performance.
Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano (Estadio Metropolitano). (BeSoccer)
Attendance / Atmosphere: A boisterous derby crowd and charged build-up — live blogs and local outlets emphasised the intensity.

How the game unfolded — timeline & turning points

First half — four-goal frenzy and dramatic momentum swings

The Metropolitano erupted early. Atleti took the lead through Robin Le Normand after incisive wing play, but Real responded in spectacular fashion: Arda Güler and then Kylian Mbappé struck to put Los Blancos ahead. The half ended with an Atleti lifeline — Alexander Sørloth equalised with a towering header just before halftime, a goal that flipped momentum and set up a breathless second 45. Live commentary and analysis charted the see-saw nature of the opening 45 minutes.

Second half — Atleti dominance, Álvarez’s decisive double

The second half belonged to Atlético. Julián Álvarez produced a composed penalty and then added a second strike to put his side in front. Atlético’s aerial strength and second-ball aggression repeatedly exposed Real’s defensive vulnerabilities (a recurring theme highlighted by pundits). Antoine Griezmann later capped the scoreline, converting Atleti’s momentum into a 5–2 scoreboard that stunned the visitors.

Key turning points

Sørloth header before halftime: The equaliser not only rewired expected outcomes — it also gave Atleti emotional lift that carried into the second half.
Álvarez penalty (second half): The composed conversion swung the tie in Atleti’s favor and forced Real to chase.
Atleti’s control of the aerial game & second balls: Repeatedly won by Sørloth and teammates, allowing Atleti to finish chances and deny Real the ball in dangerous areas.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

Player spotlights — who changed the derby

Alexander Sørloth (Atlético) — the aerial terror

Sørloth’s equalising header before the break was the defining moment that changed the game’s spine. The Norwegian’s size, timing and aerial dominance caused Real problems all evening; he won crucial duels and helped Atleti build attack after attack. Pundits praised the physical mismatch and the planning that freed him into the box.

Julián Álvarez (Atlético) — the clinical finisher

Álvarez’s second-half brace — including a well-taken penalty — delivered finishing quality when it mattered most. His movement, link-up, and poise under pressure converted Atleti’s momentum into scoreboard control. Local match reports singled out Álvarez for match-winning impact.

Kylian Mbappé & Arda Güler (Real Madrid) — bright spots in a battered team

Mbappé continued his run of goals with his usual speed and precision; Arda Güler’s strike demonstrated Real’s attacking pedigree. But despite those highlights, LaLiga live blogs noted Real’s defensive lapses and inability to contain Atleti’s physical game when it mattered.

Atleti defenders & midfielders — grit & second-ball specialists

Atleti’s midfield (Koke, Barrios, Giuliano in various permutations) and defenders like Le Normand and Lenglet repeatedly won duels and provided the platform for Sørloth and Álvarez. Many post-match analyses credited Atlético’s set-piece and crossing routines for unlocking Real.

Tactical analysis — what worked, what failed

Atlético’s recipe for success

Exploit aerial mismatches: Atleti targeted crosses into the box and second balls; Sørloth’s presence made that tactic lethal.
Structured pressing in phases: Simeone’s side pressed in concert at key moments, forcing turnovers and quick transitions into their forwards.
Use of width & set-piece execution: Flanks and dead-ball situations produced high-quality chances, reflecting hours of coaching and rehearsed patterns.

Real Madrid’s tactical disappointments

Aerial vulnerability: Multiple sources noted Real’s struggles defending crosses and long balls, particularly against a physically imposing striker like Sørloth.
Midfield balance & selection questions: Pundits flagged selection choices and an unusual inclusion (or heavy workload) that may have diluted Real’s usual midfield control — areas Xabi Alonso will examine.
In-game management: Real’s inability to respond after Sørloth’s equaliser and to stem Atlético’s second-half momentum featured heavily in analysis. Substitution timing and structural tweaks did not stem Atleti’s flow.

Locura y pasión rojiblanca. 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/2joIIlnfDB

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 27, 2025

Minute-by-minute highlights (select timeline)

~17′ — Robin Le Normand opens scoring for Atlético via a well-executed cross finish. (Outlook India)
~25′ — Kylian Mbappé equalises for Real with a stunning finish (reports vary on exact minute distribution but match reports confirm his goal).
~37′ — Arda Güler puts Real ahead after creative play and clinical strike. (beIN SPORTS)
~45+3′ — Alexander Sørloth levels for Atlético with a powerful header just before halftime. (VG)
Second half — Julián Álvarez converts a penalty and later adds a second goal to put Atlético in front.
Late — Antoine Griezmann adds gloss with a late strike to make it 5–2.

(For exact minutes and full play-by-play, embed the ESPN or LaLiga live match feed.)

Standings & season context — what this result changes

Real Madrid: The loss ends their unbeaten LaLiga run (six straight wins before the derby) and hands Atlético three huge points, altering early-season dynamics at the top of the table. Observers will monitor whether this result is an outlier or the start of a more volatile period for Xabi Alonso’s side.
Atlético Madrid: The win is a potential momentum builder — signifying that Atleti can mix tactical nous, physicality and finishing to challenge the top teams. Simeone’s squad integration (with several new signings) may be progressing faster than critics expected.

Flashscore and LaLiga standings pages will update the table; pundits expect table movement and renewed debate about title favorites after such a derby swing. (Flashscore)

Injuries, cautions & squad notes

Pre-match outlets and live coverage indicated some selection and fitness issues on both sides (Atleti managing minutes for Llorente/Griezmann/Álvarez and Real without certain defenders in earlier matches). In-game, Reuters and local outlets noted potential knocks and rotation decisions; keep an eye on official club injury statements for specifics. (Diario AS)

Where to watch & broadcast info (global)

Spain: DAZN LaLiga and Movistar/DAZN depending on region; check local listings.
USA: ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes (Spanish commentary) carried the match; streaming available via ESPN+ and regional services where rights apply.
Global: Use LaLiga’s international broadcast partners (check LaLiga.com), or live sites like Flashscore/ESPN for score updates and highlight clips. (AS USA)

If you missed the live action, official club channels, LaLiga’s highlights page and ESPN’s match replays will host the key moments within hours. (ESPN.com)

Reaction & social pulse

Atleti fans: Euphoria — social feeds and live blogs captured a euphoric crowd response and praise for Simeone’s tactics and Sørloth’s aerial mastery. (BeSoccer)
Real fans & pundits: Frustration and tactical soul-searching — why did defensive weaknesses reappear, and can Alonso shore them up for the Champions League stretch? Match forums and expert columns raised immediate questions.

Journalists across outlets (BeIN Sports, The Guardian, Reuters) emphasized both the drama of the derby and the broader implications for the season. (The Guardian)

What coaches said (summary of post-match themes)

Diego Simeone (Atlético): Focused on mental strength, preparation and the squad’s ability to perform under fixture congestion and pressure — credited players for executing the game plan. (Reuters)
Xabi Alonso (Real): Acknowledged the defeat, highlighted the need to analyze defensive lapses and promised to work on adjustments ahead of the next fixtures. Media summaries captured his candor about the team’s shortcomings. (Managing Madrid)