Atletico 5-2 Real in Riyadh

Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 5-2 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, ending Real's perfect start to the 2025/26 LaLiga season. Julián Álvarez scored a brace — a penalty and a curled free-kick — while Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth also contributed as Atlético imposed physicality and an aerial set-piece threat. The victory was Atlético's heaviest derby win in roughly 75 years and exposed Real's defensive vulnerabilities, compounded by the absence of Antonio Rudiger. Xabi Alonso admitted his side ‘deserved’ the defeat amid wide media and pundit criticism of his tactics and lack of a Plan B, and Real failed to register a shot on target after halftime. Madrid will now travel to Kazakhstan for a midweek Champions League tie at Kairat Almaty, seeking an immediate response.