Atletico humiliates Real with five goals scored

Atletico Madrid entered the city derby against Real as the ninth-placed team in La Liga, with the weakest start to a season in Diego Simeone’s era, which is about to reach a decade and a half. On the other side, Real came to the Metropolitano with a perfect run of six wins in six league matches, plus one more in the Champions League. But in derbies, there are no favorites. In a spectacular match, Atletico Madrid demolished their city rival 5–2! At a moment when almost no one expected it.

Diego Simeone had been under heavy criticism in recent weeks, with some believing that either the Argentine was tired of Atletico or that the club was tired of him. But the fiery Gaucho showed them they were wrong. His team has undergone many changes over the past two seasons, becoming significantly younger, and Simeone has even shifted his style. Protecting his goal is no longer the sole priority — the Colchoneros are now playing much more openly and offensively. Just like today…

We witnessed a brilliant first half at the Metropolitano. Probably the best in La Liga this season. Four goals, countless chances (mostly in front of Real’s goal), both teams leading at different moments, a disallowed goal… all packed into 45 minutes plus nine minutes of stoppage time. It began with Atletico’s domination, which lasted a full 25 minutes. Yet, despite four or five good chances, Real’s net shook only once. That was in the 14th minute, after an excellent leap by Robin Le Normand on a cross from Giuliano Simeone. The visitors had cleared the first rehearsed set-piece move, but they couldn’t stop the second. Tchouameni was caught beneath the ball, Militao behind the Spanish international, whose header was struck as cleanly as a shot. Courtois was well positioned, but the ball passed too quickly for him to lift his hands.

The stands erupted, pushing Atletico to play even more decisively. But with their very first chance, their first approach to the box, Real equalized. Mbappe combined nicely with Arda Guler and fired sharply from a tight right angle past Oblak into the side netting. It was the fourth goal this season born from the Turkish playmaker and the French striker, and soon Guler himself got on the scoresheet. After a poor header by Le Normand on a long clearance from Atletico’s half, Vinícius Junior slipped past Llorente and Le Normand with a brilliant feint and found an unmarked Guler in the box, who finished first-time with precision.

At that point, many thought Atletico were finished, that Real would extend their winning streak, and that Simeone was headed for hard days and difficult talks with the board. But they were wrong. The hosts’ resilience showed with a Lenglet goal disallowed for handball, and then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Alexander Sorloth headed in Koke’s cross in trademark fashion. The Norwegian exploited Carreras and Huijsen’s confusion — only his second goal of the season, but perfectly timed to restore confidence.

Real returned for the second half without the injured Eder Militao. His replacement, Raúl Asensio, partnered Huijsen in defense and managed to contain Atlético’s attackers — but not prevent defeat. Rampaging “Spider” Julián Álvarez, fresh from a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano, struck twice more to reach six goals in seven matches. First from the penalty spot in the 50th minute, then with a free kick in the 64th — almost identical to his goal in the opening round against Espanyol. Back then it came in defeat (1–2), now in a massive Atlético victory.

And it wasn’t over yet. Antoine Griezmann delivered the knockout blow in stoppage time, scoring on a counterattack. A goal that will boost his confidence after being benched and struggling for form. A goal that gave Atlético their first five-goal haul against their fiercest rival in 75 years. Even though they led at one point, Real never looked like a team with a clear idea of how to win today. Perhaps things might have been different had Güler not, to put it mildly, reacted recklessly to a corner cross by raising his foot high and kicking Nico González in the head — but after the penalty that restored Atlético’s lead, the home team took full control. It was their third win of the season, and their second in a row, signaling better days ahead for the Colchoneros.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 7

Friday

Girona - Espanyol 0-0

Saturday

Atl.Madrid - Real Madrid 5-2 (1-0)

/Le Normand 14, Sorloth 45+3, Alvarez 51(p), 63, Griezmann 90+3 - Mbappe 25, Guler 36//

19.30: (2.40) Mallorca (3.10) Alaves (3.20)

22.00: (2.10) Villareal (3.40) Ath.Bilbao (3.60)

Sunday

15.00: (2.15) Rayo Vallecano (3.45) Sevilla (3.70)

17.15: (2.85) Elche (3.15) Celta (2.60)

19.30: (1.28) Barcelona (6.00) Sociedad (9.50)

22.00: (1.80) Betis (3.75) Osasuna (4.85)

Monday

22.00: (1.70) Valencia (3.60) Oviedo (5.40)

***odds are subject to change***