Atletico Madrid landed Xabi Alonso his first loss in the on going La Liga season as they beat Real Madrid 5-2. The home team Atletico fought back from behind to inflict them their first loss of the season. Robin le Normand’s header gave Diego Simeone’s side an early lead but goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler leveled the scores and placed them ahead.
Not long after Alexander Sorloth levelled the game at 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first half. And the hosts took charge after the break when Julian Alvarez, who had hit the post in the first half, converted from the penalty spot before curling home a brilliant free-kick.
Atletico went into their shell, but held their cross-city rivals at bay until Antoine Griezmann grabbed their fifth goal deep into stoppage time. The defeat ended a consecutive wins across La Liga and the Champions League for Xabi Alonso’s side.
The result maintained an impressive record against Real in La Liga for Simeone’s side, who have not lost in their past six league encounters with Los Blancos. Atletico started the match strongly and deserved their early lead, taken when Le Normand headed in a Giuliano Simeone cross through goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ hands.
And the tide turned decisively in Atletico’s favour early in the second half when Guler gave away a penalty, clumsily catching Nico Gonzalez on the forehead with a high boot at a corner. Ex Manchester City star Alvarez who scored a hat-trick to help Atletico to a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano three days ago was also on target.
Alonso made a string of substitutions, but Real failed to threaten Atletico until the hosts underlined their display with a fifth goal. Alex Baena latched on to a loose pass in midfield and released fellow substitute Griezmann, who glided into the penalty area before rolling the ball beyond Courtois.
Attention now turns to the Champions League, with both sides in action on Tuesday, 1 October. Real travel to Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty, while Atletico host Eintracht Frankfurt.
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