Atletico vs. Real Madrid 5-2 – The Metropolitano was trembling...

Atlético Madrid football trips thrive on the fascination of the Spanish capital and the special atmosphere at home games in the Estadio Metropolitano. You feel it especially in the derbies against Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, but also in matches against FC Barcelona. Even more: In 2027, the Champions League final will be held here for the second time after 2019. And rightly so, as our match report on the Atlético vs Real Madrid derby shows. 

We love this section. Austria’s football icon Herbert Prohaska gives his predictions every Friday in the Kronen Zeitung (Vienna) for three matches, and on 26 September 2025, he predicted a draw between Atlético and Real Madrid. 

That would have already been a success for Atlético, who came into the match only in eighth place against their arch-rivals and league leaders from the same city. 

And that’s how it looked at halftime. The first half alone offered everything that makes La Liga football trips an experience – four goals from the 14th minute on.

First, Real coldly converted two shots into two goals, then the cheers in the Estadio Metropolitano turned into a roar with Alexander Sørloth’s 2–2 equaliser in first-half stoppage time, after goals for Real by Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler (25th / 36th minute).

Atlético scorer jumps into the open arms of the fans

After just his second goal of the season, the Norwegian celebrated among the front-row fans – pure emotion.

Koké delivered a pinpoint cross from the left half-space, and Sørloth headed it in from five metres. 

A penalty committed by Güler on Nico Gonzalez (50’) turned the tide in favour of the "Colchoneros" – the nickname for Atlético, meaning "mattress makers". 

Argentinian world champion Julian Álvarez (52’) confidently converted to make it 3–2. 
Now Atlético entered a frenzy. Against the still unbeaten "Royals", coach Diego "El Cholo" Simeone's team created chances by the minute. 

In the 63rd minute, Álvarez curled a powerful free kick into the top left corner – 4–2, dream goal!
France’s world champion Antoine Griezmann, who had gone 22 La Liga matches without scoring, finished in stoppage time after an assist from Alex Baena to make it 5–2.

Music to the ears: even as the counterattack began – in the third of seven added minutes – the Metropolitano was already celebrating its derby winners.

Five goals in a Madrid derby – that hadn’t happened for Atlético in 75 years (!). In November 1950, they beat Real 6–3, still at the former Estadio del Metropolitano (inaugurated in 1923, not to be confused with the new Estadio Metropolitano completed in 2017, editor’s note). 

Atlético Madrid vs Real 5–2 – Great emotions for Diego Simeone

Back to the present: Atlético Madrid have not lost any of the last six La Liga matches against Real.
The seven-goal thriller at the Metropolitano electrified the fans and moved Diego Simeone to tears. “A lot of emotions had to come out,” said the Argentine after the match, “we had a bad start to the season and many people, often unseen in public, made great efforts to change that. It’s wonderful. From the start, we knew we could hurt them.”

For Spanish coach Xabi Alonso, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, it was the first La Liga defeat with Real Madrid. “The explanation for the loss is that we didn’t play at our usual level,” said Alonso, “we lacked rhythm and intensity.” 

Whether that explanation will satisfy the stern Real president Florentino Perez, nervously typing on his mobile phone in the VIP stand after the 2–5 defeat, we don’t know…

What are the next matches for Atlético Madrid at the Estadio Metropolitano?

Atlético’s next opponent is Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on 30 September 2025 – the "Eagles" have scored 14 goals in three competitive matches and promise pure goal spectacle.

In La Liga, the next home match will come only after the October international break, against CA Osasuna 
on 18 October 2025 (9 PM). 

A La Liga classic follows on 2 November 2025, against Sevilla FC. 

When will the return match between Real Madrid and Atlético take place?

Real Madrid will host Atlético for the Madrid derby around 22 March 2026.