For the first time in nearly 75 years, Atletico Madrid came from behind to defeat city rivals Real Madrid, scoring five goals in a thrilling derby.
It was only the fourth time Atletico had scored at least five goals in a Madrid derby, the last being in November 1950 with a 6-3 triumph.
Real Madrid lost for the first time this season after winning all six of their La Liga games and their Champions League opening, a 2-1 triumph against Marseille.
Real have not conceded as many goals in La Liga since October 2018, when they were defeated 5-1 by Barcelona.
Diego Simeone’s side took an early lead thanks to Robin le Normand’s header, but Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler scored excellent goals to turn things around.
However, Alexander Sorloth tied the score at 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
And the hosts regained control after the break, with Julian Alvarez, who had hit the post in the first half, converting from the penalty spot before curling in a superb free kick.
Atletico retreated into their shell but kept their cross-city rivals at bay until Antoine Griezmann scored their fifth goal deep into stoppage time.
The result preserved Simeone’s side’s outstanding record against Real in La Liga, as they have not lost in their last six league meetings with Los Blancos.
Atletico opened the game brightly and deserved to grab an early lead when Le Normand headed in a Giuliano Simeone cross through goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
However, Real drew level when Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the season with his first chance of the game, slipping a ball across goalie Jan Oblak following Guler’s defense-splitting assist.
Guler gave Real the lead with a half-volley of Vinicius Junior’s cross, but Atletico were almost equal within a minute when Alvarez curled a shot against the post.
There was no letup before the conclusion of the first half, with Clement Lenglet’s goal disallowed for handball before Sorloth headed Koke’s brilliant cross past Courtois at the back post.
And the tide shifted drastically in Atletico’s favor early in the second half, when Guler accidentally caught Nico Gonzalez on the forehead with a high boot at a corner.
Alvarez, who had scored a hat trick in Atletico’s 3-2 victory against Rayo Vallecano three days earlier, clinically converted the penalty and then extended the lead by curling a free kick over the wall and beyond Courtois’ outstretched right hand.
Alonso made a number of adjustments, but Real failed to challenge Atletico until the hosts scored a fifth goal.
Alex Baena pounced onto a sloppy pass in midfield, releasing fellow substitute Griezmann, who slipped into the penalty area before sliding the ball past Courtois.
Real maintained its two-point lead in La Liga, with second-placed Barcelona set to face Real Sociedad 24 hours later, while Atletico, who has not lost since the league’s opening day, moved up to fourth.
The focus now shifts to the Champions League, with both teams in action on Tuesday, October 1. Real heads to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty, while Atletico hosts Eintracht Frankfurt.
