Julian Alvarez delivered a masterclass performance on Wednesday night, scoring a stunning hat-trick to seal Atletico Madrid’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
The Rojiblancos, who had been staring at another frustrating result after falling behind in the 78th minute, turned the game around thanks to Alvarez’s late heroics at the Metropolitano Stadium. The Argentina international struck twice in the dying stages to snatch all three points for Diego Simeone’s side.
The win was only Atletico’s second in six league matches, easing pressure after a shaky start to the season. Simeone’s men now sit ninth in the table, nine points adrift of leaders Real Madrid ahead of a crucial derby clash on Saturday against Xabi Alonso’s high-flying side.
Alvarez, who joined from Manchester City in 2024, set the tone early with a brilliant volley from Marcos Llorente’s cross in the 15th minute. But Atletico’s wastefulness in front of goal was punished just before half-time, when Pep Chavarria unleashed a thunderbolt to level for Rayo.
Rayo substitute Alvaro Garcia then stunned the home crowd, rounding Jan Oblak to put the visitors ahead. However, Alvarez restored hope in the 82nd minute, reacting quickest to blast home a rebound after Augusto Batalla had denied Giuliano Simeone.
With momentum on Atletico’s side, Alvarez completed his treble in the 88th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the box — sealing a night to remember and silencing doubts after his missed penalty against Mallorca last weekend.
