Match overview
The atmosphere at the Metropolitano Stadium was electric on September 27, 2025, as Atletico Madrid hosted their eternal city rivals, Real Madrid, in a La Liga showdown that promised fireworks. From the first whistle, the game turned into a roller‑coaster of goals, set‑piece drama, and a few controversial calls. By the final whistle, Atletico had turned a 2-2 dead‑heat at halftime into a stunning Atletico Madrid 5-2 victory, a feat not achieved against Real for three‑quarters of a century.
Early on, Atletico’s left‑back Le Normand jumped into the fray, heading home a corner just before the 15‑minute mark to give the hosts the lead. The joy was short‑lived; Real responded within ten minutes when Kylian Mbappé latched onto a diagonal ball from Turkish midfielder Arda Güler and slotted it past Jan Oblak. That goal marked Mbappé’s eighth of the season, underscoring his fine form.
Real’s momentum grew, and in the 37th minute Mbappé collected the ball in midfield, threading a pass to Vinicius Jr. After beating two defenders, Vinicius delivered a low cross into the box, where Güler met it with a precise left‑foot finish, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage. A brief controversy followed when Real’s French defender Lenglet seemed to have equalised from a free‑kick, only for referee Javier Alberola to overturn the decision after a VAR review showed a clear handball by Atletico defender.
Just before the break, Sorloth rose highest from a Koke cross to head in the equaliser, sending the first half to a 2-2 finish.
Key moments and player performances
The second half belonged to Atletico. Only a minute after the restart, Julián Álvarez saw his teammate Arda Güler block a clearance and then, in an odd twist, swing his own leg into the path of Nico González, earning a penalty. Álvarez coolly converted, putting Atletico ahead.
Six minutes later Álvarez struck again, this time from a direct free‑kick that curled past the Real defence and into the top corner. His brace put the home side in a commanding position and left Real scrambling for any foothold.
Real Madrid tried to claw back, dominating possession in the closing stages. Yet they managed only two shots on target, and even a late surge from Vinicius could not breach the well‑organised Atletico backline. In added time, Antoine Griezmann completed the tally with his fifth goal of the match, sealing what fans lovingly term “La Manita” – a goal for each finger.
- Atletico’s scoring spread: Le Normand, Sorloth, Julián Álvarez (2), Griezmann.
- Real’s contributors: Mbappé, Güler.
- Defensive highlights: Jan Oblak made only a handful of routine saves, reflecting Atletico’s dominance in front of goal.
- Controversial moments: Lenglet’s disallowed goal and the VAR‑checked handball.
The defeat handed Real Madrid their first loss of the La Liga season, a rare blemish on an otherwise strong start. With just two shots on target and a midfield that struggled to retain possession, the visitors will have to reassess their tactical approach before the next clash. For Atletico, the win not only boosts morale but also cements their status as genuine title contenders, demonstrating both attacking flair and defensive resilience.
Overall, the derby will be remembered as a historic showcase of Atletico’s offensive firepower, a match that will be talked about in Madrid cafés for weeks to come.
Write a comment