Atletico Madrid delivered a ruthless performance at the Metropolitano, thrashing rivals Real Madrid 5-2 to bring an abrupt end to Xabi Alonso’s perfect start as Los Blancos coach.

The hosts struck first when Robin Le Normand rose highest to head home in the 14th minute. Real responded through Kylian Mbappé, who finished calmly after a clever pass from Arda Güler, before Güler himself smashed in a volley to turn the score around.

Just before half-time, Atletico pulled level as Alexander Sørloth powered in a header, giving Diego Simeone’s men the belief to dominate the second half.

The restart belonged to Julián Álvarez. He converted from the penalty spot after Güler’s high boot caught Nicolás González, before curling in a superb free-kick to restore Atletico’s lead. Real’s attempts to fight back left them exposed, and Antoine Griezmann punished them with a late counterattack goal to seal the emphatic 5-2 win.

The statistics underlined Atletico’s superiority, creating more chances and producing a higher expected goals tally than their rivals. Álvarez’s heroics made him only the second Atletico player this century to score from both the penalty spot and a direct free kick in a single La Liga game.

For Alonso, the defeat was a sobering end to his flawless opening run. For Simeone, it was a statement victory one that reasserts Atletico’s power in the Spanish capital and sends a warning to the rest of La Liga.