Overview
- Álvarez scored in the 15th, 80th and 88th minutes, overturning a late deficit after Rayo had taken a 2-1 lead at the Metropolitano.
- It was only Atlético’s second league win in six matches, leaving them ninth in LaLiga after a shaky start to the season.
- Diego Simeone praised Álvarez as “the best player we have,” and the forward downplayed talk of a rift after his frustration and missed penalty in the Mallorca draw.
- Alexander Sørloth served a one-game suspension, with injuries sidelining José María Giménez, Álex Baena, Thiago Almada and Johnny Cardoso into October.
- Comments from Álvarez’s former coach suggesting he is uncomfortable at Atlético and has long admired Barcelona have renewed transfer chatter in Spanish media.