Atletico Madrid Overcomes Real Madrid in Thrilling 5-2 Derby Victory
Real Madrid’s impressive run of seven consecutive victories in all competitions at the start of the 2025/26 season was abruptly halted as they suffered a 5-2 defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby held at the Estadio Metropolitano.
High Stakes in the Madrid Derby
The rivalry between Madrid’s clubs is often pivotal in the LaLiga title chase, and early in the season, Los Blancos aimed to establish a 12-point gap over Atletico with a win today.
Dominance from Atletico
The nature of derby matches frequently shifts expectations, and that was strikingly evident during the opening moments, as Diego Simeone’s squad aggressively pressed a visibly troubled Real Madrid side.
Early Lead for Atletico
Atletico’s early control was rewarded in the 14th minute when Robin Le Normand outjumped Eder Militao to score with a well-directed header from Giuliano Simeone’s cross, marking his second goal for Atletico in league play.
Real’s Response
Despite their defensive shortcomings, Xabi Alonso’s group demonstrated their attacking prowess as they equalized ruthlessly.
Remarkable Equalizer
Arda Guler’s impeccable pass located Kylian Mbappe on the right flank, and he made no mistake in firing home his 12th goal in just 10 appearances for club and country this season.
Taking the Lead
The pressure remained firmly on Atletico, who capitalized on the momentum. Guler, the provider for the equalizer, quickly became a scorer by expertly converting a half-volley from Vinicius Junior’s exquisite pass.
Equalizer Before the Break
Simeone’s excitement grew before halftime when a cross from Koke found Alexander Sorloth, who snapped up the opportunity by heading the ball into the net during stoppage time, levelling the score before the break.
Second Half Unfolds
One might have anticipated a dip in intensity after such a frenetic first half, yet Atletico swiftly regained the lead just six minutes into the second half.
Penalty Decision
Guler’s misstep resulted in a penalty after he fouled Nicolas Gonzalez with a high boot. Julian Alvarez stepped up to successfully convert the penalty, managing to beat Thibaut Courtois, who correctly predicted the direction.
Atleti Extends Their Lead
Real was left floundering defensively, with Courtois making a critical save from Sorloth, but Alvarez soon scored a stunning free-kick that increased Atletico’s lead to two goals.
Conclusion of the Match
Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm in the final moments of the blockbuster derby, while Antoine Griezmann cushioned the lead by sliding in the fifth goal for the rampant Atletico side.
This result may reinvigorate Atletico Madrid’s season, and although Real Madrid remains at the top of the league, they risk losing their position to Barcelona following their second defeat in nine away matches in LaLiga.
