Atlético Madrid had taken an early lead through Robin Le Normand before goals from Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler put Real 2-1 up. Atlético’s response, however, was emphatic as Alexander Sørloth levelled before Julián Álvarez struck twice and Antoine Griezmann added a stoppage-time fifth.

For Diego Simeone’s side, it was a result that ended Real’s perfect start to the season and cut the gap at the top of the table to six points. For Real, managed by Xabi Alonso, it was a sobering collapse against their city rivals.

Atlético created chances from the outset, Sørloth going close on three occasions before Courtois and the woodwork denied them. Yet Madrid, clinical as ever, scored from their first two efforts, with Mbappé notching his eighth league goal before Güler doubled the lead.

Sørloth’s powerful header on the stroke of half-time gave Atlético renewed belief and set the stage for a dominant second-half performance. Early after the restart, Álvarez converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-2, exorcising memories of a missed spot-kick a week earlier.

The Argentine forward then curled in a free-kick to stretch the advantage, before substitute Griezmann completed the rout in stoppage time, slipping the ball under Courtois to seal Atlético’s biggest derby win in years.

Real struggled to respond, offering little threat in the final third as Atlético imposed control across midfield and punished defensive errors. Alonso admitted his side had been “not good enough” and said there were “no excuses” for the collapse.

The result leaves Real still top of La Liga but with their nine-point cushion over Atlético cut to six. Arsenal could reduce the gap further if they win their fixture on Sunday.

Atlético’s 5-2 demolition of Real Madrid will live long in derby folklore, but history shows a familiar pattern. Across more than 230 competitive meetings, Real have dominated with over 115 victories, while Atlético have managed just over 60, with the rest ending level.

In La Liga, Real’s superiority has been clear since their first meeting in 1929, yet Atlético have enjoyed key triumphs in cups — most memorably the 2013 Copa del Rey final at the Bernabéu.

On the European stage, Real’s Champions League stranglehold includes two final wins over their neighbours, in 2014 and 2016, cementing their authority. Even so, under Diego Simeone Atlético have fought back, taking league titles in 2014 and 2021 and restoring bite to a derby once tilted one way. Saturday’s victory, then, was not just three points, but a reminder that the balance, while tilted historically, is never fixed.