Match Overview

Round 7 of La Liga 2025/26 delivered a blockbuster: Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid at the Metropolitano, where the hosts overturned a 2–1 deficit to demolish their cross-town rivals 5–2. 

The result snapped Real Madrid’s unbeaten start, and made a definitive statement in this season’s Madrid derby narrative.

Real — who had won all their prior six league games — looked dangerous early, but Atlético’s resilience, aerial dominance, and set-piece mastery turned the tide. The match had six different scorers, key tactical shifts, intense momentum swings, and left no doubt who claimed bragging rights in Atlético vs Real Madrid this season.

Goals & Scoring Timeline

Real had looked in command heading into the break, but Atlético’s late first-half leveller was a crucial psychological boost.

Key Moments & Turning Points

1. Le Normand’s early header gave Atlético confidence, but Real’s quick reply through Mbappé showed they wouldn’t fold easily.
2. Güler’s strike just before half-time threatened to pull Madrid into control, but Sørloth’s header on the brink of half-time shifted momentum. That 2–2 interval scoreline would have been almost unthinkable in recent derbies. 
3. The penalty to Álvarez early in the second half — after a high boot from Güler hit González — swung the pendulum decisively.
4. Álvarez’s free-kick further deflated the defensive structure of Real Madrid, giving Atlético breathing room. Real’s vulnerabilities under aerial and set-piece pressure were ruthlessly exposed.
5. Griezmann’s late goal capped a dominant second-half showing and silenced any Madrid talk of a late comeback.

Defensive frailties from Real — particularly in aerial duels and set-piece control — proved decisive. Atlético’s consistent use of crosses, second balls, and transition counters overwhelmed Madrid in the latter stages.

Player Performances

Atlético Madrid

• Julián Álvarez: The hero of the night. A composed penalty conversion, a curling free-kick, and constant threat in space. His brace was crucial to the comeback. 
• Alexander Sørloth: His header just before half-time shifted momentum. Known for aerial prowess, he delivered when needed.
• Robin Le Normand: Solid defensively and active in set-piece attack — his first goal set the tone. 
• Koke: The veteran captain delivered the cross for Sørloth’s equaliser and anchored midfield transitions. 

Real Madrid

• Arda Güler: Real’s most creative spark; got on the scoresheet and caused problems, though unable to carry the team alone.
• Kylian Mbappé: Delivered as usual with a goal, but couldn’t sustain pressure or break through a resilient Atlético defence repeatedly.
• Midfield — Bellingham / Valverde: Blunted by Atlético’s physicality and incisive counters. ManagingMadrid’s player ratings flagged them among the weaker performers. 
• Thibaut Courtois: Ended the night under pressure, beaten by the free-kick and unable to redeem earlier vulnerabilities.

Tactical Breakdown

Starting Formations & Setups

• Atlético (4-4-2): Oblak behind a back four (Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko). Midfield line: Giuliano Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Nico González. Upfront: Sørloth and Álvarez.
• Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois in goal; backline of Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras. In midfield, a double pivot of Valverde and Tchouaméni. Ahead: Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Jr. supporting Mbappé as the lone forward.

Tactical Themes & Adjustments

• Atlético’s aerial and crossing attacks: A clear intent to exploit Real’s struggles in the air — Sørloth’s header and Le Normand’s opener came via crosses. The wide midfielders and full-backs overlapped well to feed balls in.
• Midfield control by Atlético: Koke and Barrios helped control transitions, prevented Real from building tempo, and turned defence into attack quickly.
• Real’s over-reliance on forward transitions: While Mbappé and Güler were dangerous, Real lacked a coherent way to break Atlético’s pressing mid-block in the second half.
• Defensive lapses — especially on set-pieces: Real’s zonal + man-mix marking failed, particularly on the penalty (misjudgement by Güler) and free-kick (Álvarez expertly curled over the wall).
• Second-half momentum swing: After the penalty, Atlético sensed control. Real’s structure crumbled, and the visitors struggled to sustain any coherent pressing.

Post-Match Comments

• Diego Simeone (Atlético manager) expressed deep emotion, crediting his team’s belief and collective effort. He hailed Álvarez’s performance and the defensive discipline from his side. 
• Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid manager) admitted it was a “bad loss” and acknowledged defensive errors. He insisted that learning from this defeat would be essential as the season unfolds. 
• Álvarez, in post-match remarks, called it a “special day,” underlining the significance of the derby and the momentum it provides. 

Fan Reactions & Atmosphere

From kickoff, the Metropolitano was electric. Atlético fans erupted at each meaningful attacking move, and the stadium became a cauldron of noise once Real had the lead. The turnaround created delirium — the penalty goal and free-kick were met with roars, and Griezmann’s late strike set off wild celebrations. 

In contrast, Real Madrid supporters were subdued, stunned by how their side capitulated. Some fans voiced frustration at defensive frailty and lack of urgency in the match’s second half.

Social media lit up afterwards — Atlético faithful hailed it as one of the most dominant derby performances in recent memory; Real fans questioned whether this result exposed deeper vulnerabilities in the squad.

What This Means for the Season

• For Atlético Madrid, this 5–2 win (their first scoring five in a derby in 75 years) is a seismic morale boost. It demonstrates that their squad has both resilience and tactical flexibility to challenge at the top.
• For Real Madrid, the defeat is an early warning: defensive inconsistencies and failure to adapt under pressure risk undermining a campaign that began so strongly. Alonso must find solutions to aerial weakness, midfield cohesion, and transition defense. 
• In the La Liga 2025/26 title race, this result opens a window for challengers. Real preserved their lead in points, but the aura of invincibility is shaken. Atlético may now be viewed as dark horses.
• In subsequent fixtures, momentum from this victory could fuel momentum for Atlético; Real must respond decisively or risk being pulled into a more unpredictable title fight.

This Atlético vs Real Madrid match report captures not only the drama of the 5–2 Madrid derby but also signals shifting dynamics in the 2025/26 La Liga. 

Football fans will be circling the next El Derbi — and both teams now carry much more than pride into that meeting.