Alvarez hat-trick helps Atletico defeat Rayo

Julian Alvarez scored a hat-trick to snatch Atletico Madrid a thrilling 3-2 triumph implicit Rayo Vallecano successful La Liga connected Wednesday.

The Rojiblancos fell down successful the 78th infinitesimal but Alvarez, who had opened the scoring, struck doubly much successful the last stages to assertion 3 points for Diego Simeone’s side.

The Argentina planetary helped Atletico unafraid lone their 2nd triumph from six league matches during a shaky commencement to the campaign.

Atletico are ninth and way league leaders Real Madrid by 9 points up of Saturday’s derby clash against Xabi Alonso’s side.

Alvarez, who missed a punishment successful Atletico’s frustrating gully astatine Mallorca past weekend, opened the scoring astatine the Metropolitano stadium.

The 25-year-old, who joined from Manchester City successful 2024, volleyed location from Marcos Llorente’s looping transverse aft 15 minutes to get the shot rolling.

The striker should person netted a 2nd earlier half-time but fired precocious implicit the crossbar from Nahuel Molina’s perfectly-judged ball.

Visitors Rayo made the hosts wage successful first-half stoppage clip erstwhile Pep Chavarria scored 1 of the goals of the season, a slug from region which ripped into the apical country past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Rayo substitute Alvaro Garcia sent his squad up erstwhile played successful connected goal, rounding Oblak earlier squeezing location from a choky angle.

It enraged Atletico and they began pouring forwards, rapidly uncovering an equaliser.

Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla kept retired an effort from Simeone’s lad Giuliano, but Alvarez was connected manus to blast the rebound location from point-blank range.

With Rayo rocking helium completed his treble successful the 88th minute, producing a superb decorativeness to bushed Batalla from the borderline of the box.

After grumbling astir being substituted during the Mallorca game, Alvarez showed his manager against Rayo wherefore helium is champion near connected the pitch.

AFP

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