ATLETICO Madrid scored five goals against city rivals Real for the first time in nearly 75 years when they fought back from behind in a pulsating derby.
It was only the fourth time Atletico had scored at least five in a Madrid derby, the last occasion being a 6-3 victory in November 1950.
Real lost for the first time this season, having won all six of their six La Liga matches as well as their Champions League opener, a 2-1 victory over Marseille.
The last time that Real had conceded as many in La Liga was in a 5-1 defeat by Barcelona in October 2018.
Robin le Normand’s header had given Diego Simeone’s side an early lead that was overturned by superb goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler.
But Alexander Sorloth levelled the game at 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
And the hosts took charge after the break when Julian Alvarez, who had hit the post in the first half, converted from the penalty spot before curling home a brilliant free-kick.
Atletico went into their shell, but held their cross-city rivals at bay until Antoine Griezmann grabbed their fifth goal deep into stoppage time.
The result maintained an impressive record against Real in La Liga for Simeone’s side, who have not lost in their past six league encounters with Los Blancos.
Atletico started the match strongly and deserved their early lead, taken when Le Normand headed in a Giuliano Simeone cross through goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ hands.
But Real were level when Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the season with his first chance of the game, sliding a shot across keeper Jan Oblak after Guler’s defence-splitting pass.
Guler gave Real the lead in style when he swept Vinicius Junior’s cross home on the half-volley, but Atletico were nearly level within a minute when Alvarez curled a shot on to the post.
There was no let-up before the end of the first half, with Atletico having a goal from Clement Lenglet disallowed for handball before Sorloth headed Koke’s superb cross beyond Courtois at the back post.
And the tide turned decisively in Atletico’s favour early in the second half when Guler gave away a penalty, clumsily catching Nico Gonzalez on the forehead with a high boot at a corner.
Alvarez, whose hat-trick had helped Atletico to a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano three days earlier, clinically dispatched the spot-kick and then extended the lead when he curled a free-kick over the wall and past Courtois’ outstretched right hand.
Alonso made a string of substitutions, but Real failed to threaten Atletico until the hosts underlined their display with a fifth goal. Alex Baena latched on to a loose pass in midfield and released fellow substitute Griezmann, who glided into the penalty area before rolling the ball beyond Courtois.
Real stayed on top of La Liga by two points, with second-placed Barcelona set to play Real Sociedad 24 hours later while Atletico, who have not lost since the opening day of the league season, moved into fourth.
Attention now turns to the Champions League, with both sides in action on Tuesday, 1 October. Real travel to Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty, while Atletico host Eintracht Frankfur. (BBC Sport)