Álvarez nets twice as Atletico scores 5 against Real Madrid for first time in 75 years

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The last time Julián Álvarez faced Real Madrid, his mishap in a penalty shootout led to another painful loss for Atletico Madrid.

Álvarez redeemed himself on Saturday when he scored two goals to fuel a memorable 5-2 rout of Atletico's fiercest rival in a La Liga derby. It was the first time in 75 years that Atletico scored five goals against its crosstown rival.

The Argentina striker stole the show from Kylian Mbappé, who scored as Madrid built a 2-1 lead. Álvarez converted a penalty to put the hosts ahead 3-2 early in the second half before he added a second goal with a curling free kick.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico dealt Xabi Alonso his first loss of the season after Madrid had won all six La Liga games and its Champions League opener. Alonso’s only other loss since taking over as Madrid's coach in the summer was against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals in July.

Barcelona can overtake leader Madrid with a win at Real Sociedad on Sunday. Atletico moved into fourth place at six points behind Madrid.

“We knew how special today was, it was a derby and we needed to take the three points to reduce the difference with those at the top,” Álvarez said. “We had control of the game and the team never stopped going forward. We created lots of scoring chances and were able to convert them.”

The last time Atletico faced Madrid in March, Álvarez slipped before applying a double touch to a spot kick during a shootout. His goal was annulled, and Madrid went on to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.

“At the end, each penalty is a new shot, each game is a new opportunity,” Álvarez said.

Simeone appeared to wipe tears from his eyes after Álvarez’s second goal.

“I have many emotions. This season started with difficulties, but thanks to the efforts of so many people we are now doing a marvelous job,” Simeone said.

Atletico had endured its worst start to La Liga since Simeone became coach over a decade ago and needed this win to stay in the title fight. Álvarez, who joined from Manchester City last season, has been key the team turning things around this week. He was coming off his first hat trick in Europe on Wednesday when he led Atletico to a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano.

“(Álvarez) works so hard and helps us not only in attack but also with his pressure in defense,” Simeone said. “We need him and have to take care of him because he is very good. I hope he can be with this club for a long time.”

Jude Bellingham was a surprise inclusion by Alonso in Madrid’s starting 11. He hadn’t started for Madrid since the Club World Cup in the United States, after which he underwent an operation on his left shoulder on July 16. He returned to the field last weekend and played a total of 20 minutes as a substitute in two La Liga wins.

The England midfielder was mostly missing in action against Atletico, as were most of his teammates. Arda Guler’s passing and verve kept Madrid in it until he gave away the penalty that helped Atletico take complete control.

Atletico set the tone when defender Robin Le Normand headed in a cross from Simeone’s son, Giuliano Simeone, in the 14th minute.

Guler helped Madrid respond against the flow of play when he set up Mbappé to score his league-leading seventh goal in the 25th. Guler next put Madrid in front in the 36th by volleying in a pass from Vinícius Júnior.

Atletico, however, kept up the pressure at its Metropolitano Stadium, led by stellar midfielder Pablo Barrios. And Alexander Sorloth got a deserved equalizer to make it 2-2 in first-half injury time when Koke Resurrección placed a perfect pass over the top of Dean Huijsen for the Norway striker to head into the corner.

The second half was all Atletico’s as Álvarez blasted a spot kick past Thibaut Courtois in the 51st after Guler was judged to have used a dangerous high kick that made contact with the head of Nicolás González.

Álvarez put Madrid away on Saturday when he bent a free kick from the left side of the area inside Courtois’ near post, igniting celebrations by Atletico’s fans.

Madrid now must travel to central Asia to play Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“This is our first loss and it hurts a lot,” Alonso said. “The important thing now is how we react, if we can find something positive from inside this pain that we feel today.”

Substitute Alberto Moleiro scored as third-placed Villarreal edged Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home.

Mallorca beat Alaves 1-0 for its first win of the season, while Levante drew 1-1 at Getafe.

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Atletico Madrid players celebrate at the end of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth, top, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal past Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, right, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe stands at the pitch during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid players celebrate at the end of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid's Alexander Sorloth, right, vies for the ball with Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher clash as they battle for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid players walk at the pitch after Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez scored his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Atletico Madrid players celebrate their side's third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Metropolitano stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jen Pawol, who made history last year as the first woman umpire in the major leagues, was behind the plate for the Angels-Dodgers game on Friday night.

Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani greeted her leading off the bottom of the first inning as he customarily does with the umpire in each of his at-bats.

Pawol, 49, umpired during spring training for the third straight year but she did not get one of the permanent staff openings. Instead, she is part of MLB's call-up list.

She worked her first game of the automated balls and strikes challenge system on April 17 when the Giants visited the Nationals.

She became the first female major league umpire on Aug. 9, 2025, and worked a total of five big league games last season. In 2024, she became the first woman to umpire big league spring training games since Ria Cortesio in 2007. Pawol has been a minor league ump since 2016 and has worked at Triple-A since 2023.

Pawol was flirting with potential history early in Friday's game.

Angels starter Reid Detmers tossed three hitless innings before allowing a single to Freddie Freeman in the fourth.

Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki pitched no-hit ball through the first four innings before giving up a double to Nick Madrigal in the fifth.

This story has been corrected to show Jen Pawol previously umpired this season.

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Home plate umpire Jen Pawol stands at home during the third inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol asks for more baseballs during the third inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)