Julián Álvarez Scores Hat Trick as Atlético madrid Edge Rayo Vallecano 3-2
MADRID (AP) – julián Álvarez ended a scoring drought with a hat trick, propelling Atlético Madrid to a crucial 3-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. The win provides a confidence boost for Atlético ahead of a challenging city derby against league leader Real Madrid on Saturday.
Álvarez’s performance marked his first hat trick since joining Manchester City from River Plate in 2022, and his second season with Atlético. He had previously missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Mallorca and hadn’t scored since Atlético’s 2-1 loss at Espanyol in the season opener. “It’s part of soccer,” Álvarez said.”Sometimes you make mistakes and sometimes you score the goals. Today I did things well. We are on the right track.”
Rayo Vallecano rallied with goals from pep Chavarría in first-half stoppage time and Álvaro García in the 77th minute to tie the match at 2-2 before Álvarez completed his hat trick. Atlético nearly regained the lead when coach Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano Simeone, hit the crossbar in the 82nd minute.
The victory moves Atlético Madrid closer to the top of the La Liga standings, though they remain nine points behind the undefeated Real Madrid, who defeated Levante 4-1 on Tuesday with a brace from Kylian Mbappé. Atlético’s record this season includes a 2-0 win against Villarreal, and draws against Elche (1-1) and Alaves (1-1), following the opening loss at Espanyol. They also suffered a 3-2 defeat at Liverpool in their Champions League opener.
“What’s wonderful about soccer is this, you are in a very intricate moment and then you come out and win,” Simeone said. ”We had been playing well but the results weren’t coming because of details. We need to keep working to try to keep winning.”
Elsewhere in La Liga on Wednesday, Real Sociedad ended a three-game losing streak with a 1-0 home victory over Mallorca, thanks to a 49th-minute goal from Mikel Oyarzabal.Getafe and Alaves drew 1-1. Defending champion Barcelona is scheduled to visit Oviedo on Thursday.
