Atletico Madrid End 75-Year Curse with 5-2 Derby Thrashing

Historic 5-2 Victory Shakes Up the Madrid Derby

When the whistle blew at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the atmosphere was electric, but no one expected Atletico Madrid to explode for five goals against their city rivals. The 5-2 scoreline is the biggest margin the club has enjoyed over Real Madrid since 1950, ending a superstition that many fans called a curse. The fifth goal, netted by Antoine Griezmann, was christened "La Manita" – a nod to the five fingers of a hand, a cultural badge of honor in Spanish football.

Julian Álvarez was the clear match‑winner. He tucked away a calmly taken penalty and followed it up with a curling free‑kick that left the Real goalkeeper scrambling. The Argentine’s composure drew tears from coach Diego Simeone, who has long praised Álvarez as the best player in his squad. After the match, Álvarez said, "We knew how important it was. It's a derby, and we needed the three points. We’ve been creating more chances than anyone, and today we finally finished them."

Real Madrid, meanwhile, struggled to find a rhythm. Despite the presence of Kilian Mbappé, who delivered a spectacular finish, and Vinícius Júnior, who provided a brilliant assist, the visitors managed only two shots on target. Jan Oblak, who had little to do, watched as the expected late onslaught never materialised.

Implications for the LaLiga Race and European Campaigns

Before the derby, the two Madrid clubs sat nine points apart after six league games. Real Madrid were unbeaten, while Atlético had drawn three times and lost once, hovering around mid‑table. A loss would have pushed the Colchoneros 12 points behind their rivals, effectively killing any early title hopes. The three points earned now not only keep them within striking distance but also provide a massive psychological lift.

For Xabi Alonso, the defeat was a harsh early test. Tactics came under fire, especially the decision to start Jude Bellingham – a player still adjusting to the Spanish game – over in‑form Franco Mastantuono. Mastantuono, benched for most of the match, later displayed his quality with five accurate crosses in a short cameo, a reminder of what the Real side missed. The benching of Mastantuono sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

Looking ahead, both clubs have Champions League assignments that could define the rest of their seasons. Real Madrid will face Kyra Alati, while Atlético Madrid travel to Frankfurt for matchday two. The derby victory supplies Atletico with confidence and momentum as they aim to punch above their weight in Europe.

Simeone’s post‑match comments centered on efficiency and supporting star players. He praised Álvarez’s work ethic and emphasized that the team must supply the tools for him to score. "We have to look after him," he said. "If we all play to his level, the results will follow."

Fans on both sides are already talking about the game’s long‑term impact. One observer noted, "All it takes sometimes is one game to transform a season. For Atletico, Saturday’s huge win should do that for Diego Simeone’s side." The narrative now shifts from a early‑season slump to a potential title challenge, with the derby serving as the turning point.

As the LaLiga calendar tightens, the ripple effects of this historic win will be felt in every subsequent match. Whether Atlético can sustain this intensity or Real Madrid can bounce back under Alonso’s guidance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Madrid Derby has never been more than a single match away from reshaping an entire season.