A Julian Alvarez hat-trick secured Atletico Madrid a hard-earned 3-2 win over city rivals Rayo Vallecano, whose winless run extended to four games after this agonising defeat (D2, L2).
Diego Simeone’s side took just 15 minutes to break the deadlock when Alvarez fired home a brilliant left-footed volley from Marcos Llorente’s cross, easing any nerves in the stands. That optimism would have been tempered by Atleti’s tendency to surrender leads, having done so in four of their previous five league games.
This further emphasised the need for the hosts to find a second, as Alvarez spurned a glorious chance, blazing over the bar from Nahuel Molina’s brilliant cross.
Opportunities were few and far between for Rayo, but the visitors restored parity with a goal of the season contender in first-half stoppage time. Pep Chavarría unleashed an absolute rocket from distance, which flew past Jan Oblak, stunning the Metropolitano into silence just seconds before the break.
That familiar sinking feeling of letting a lead slip surfaced once again for the hosts, and Los Franjirrojos could have completely turned the game on its head after the restart when Oblak made himself big to deny Isi Palazon.
Giuliano Simeone and Nico Gonzalez were introduced 11 minutes into the second half, and the latter almost made an immediate impact, heading wide from Conor Gallagher's excellent delivery.
However, the visitors still carried a threat themselves, and Iván Balliu looked to follow Chavarría’s lead with his very own stunning long-range attempt that flew narrowly past the post. That served as a warning sign for what was to come, with Álvaro García coolly rounding Oblak and slotting home a superb finish from a tight angle.
Inigo Perez’s side were in front for barely a minute, though, as Alvarez was there to pounce deep inside the box after Augusto Batalla could only spill Giuliano’s cross into the former Manchester City man’s path.
And Alvarez would not be denied his big moment, scoring a goal worthy of winning any match with a stunning left-footed pile driver from distance to complete the comeback.
This was far from convincing for the hosts, but they will hope this result can consign a frustrating run of one win from their previous six games to the past.
Los Colchoneros move up to eighth in the table after claiming only a second win of the season, while Perez’s men remain in 14th on a night which so nearly ended with glory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
