Atlético de Madrid Secures Historic Win Against Real Madrid

The opening ELDERBI DE MADRID of the 2025/26 season unfolded dramatically, as Atlético de Madrid triumphed over their city rivals Real Madrid with a score of 5-2 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

A Thrilling Encounter

The match was a whirlwind of action, finishing the first half with a 2-2 deadlock as both teams took turns leading. However, in the second half, Julián Álvarez made his mark by converting a penalty and scoring directly from a free kick, with Antoine Griezmann sealing the remarkable victory with a goal in stoppage time.

Historical Significance

Griezmann’s late goal etched this match into history for Atlético. This was the first time in 75 years that they had scored five goals against Real Madrid in a competitive match, the last occurrence dating back to a 6-3 victory in 1950. Additionally, this match boasts the largest goal margin against Los Blancos since Atlético won 4-0 at the Estadio Vicente Calderón in 2015.

In terms of the LALIGA EA SPORTS title race, this win was crucial for Atlético, narrowing their deficit to Real Madrid to just six points. After a disappointing start to the season, featuring three draws and a single loss in their first six matches, a victory here was essential; they could have found themselves 12 points adrift if the weekend had not gone their way.

Simeone’s Pride in His Squad

Head coach Diego Simeone expressed pride in his players during the post-match press conference, commending their hard work. He shared, “I asked the players if anything significant was troubling them in their personal lives. They responded negatively, so I encouraged them to play joyfully, as these moments are rare opportunities. Thankfully, it turned out well. When the players show such commitment, it brings immense happiness to the coach. I am reflecting on the joy our fans experienced against our city rivals.”

Julián Álvarez: The Star of the Match

Julián Álvarez was the standout performer, having just netted a hat-trick in a previous 3-2 LALIGA EA SPORTS win against Rayo Vallecano. With five goals across these two derby matches, he now has six league goals this season, positioning him as the second-highest scorer, just behind Kylian Mbappé who has eight. After earlier controversies surrounding his penalty techniques, Álvarez executed a flawless penalty and an impressive free kick in this latest match.

A Turning Point for Atlético?

This significant victory could serve as a pivotal moment for Atlético Madrid’s season. Simeone remarked on the challenges of blending numerous new signings, stating, “Fifteen new players have joined over two seasons, making their integration into the team a challenge. Some adapt more quickly than others, and that’s our current position.”

With a win of this magnitude now under their belt, Simeone and his coaching staff are hopeful it will serve as a catalyst for sustained success moving forward. A crucial home match in the Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt looms, and Atlético enters this fixture brimming with confidence and attacking prowess.