Álvarez hat trick lifts Atlético to 3-2 win over Rayo

Julián Álvarez scored a hat trick to rescue Atlético Madrid, firing a dramatic 88th minute winner as the hosts came from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 at the Metropolitano on Wednesday. Álvarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute and then struck twice in the closing stages to complete the comeback, delivering Atlético only their second league win of the season and a morale-boosting result ahead of a high-profile derby with Real Madrid on Saturday.

Atlético dominated the early exchanges and took the lead when Álvarez volleyed home from a Marcos Llorente cross after 15 minutes, but wasteful finishing kept the scoreline close. Rayo stunned the home crowd in first-half stoppage time when Pep Chavarría unleashed a long-range strike that rippled the top corner. The visitors then went ahead in the 77th minute when Álvaro García rounded Jan Oblak and slotted home on the break.

With the stadium uneasy, Atlético poured forward. A rebound off Rayo keeper Augusto Batalla fell to Álvarez and he blasted in from close range in the 80th minute to level. Eight minutes later he produced a superb left-footed strike from the edge of the box to curl into the top corner and secure the victory....