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Julian Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City for £68m in 2023 Julian Alvarez scored a hat-trick as Atletico Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano to claim only their second La Liga win of the season. The Argentina striker opened the scoring with a back-post volley, before Pep Chavarria equalised with a brilliant effort from 35 yards. Alvaro Garcia gave the visitors the lead at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, only for Alvarez to equalise from close range. He completed his hat-trick with a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner from 25 yards. Victory lifted Diego Simeone's side into ninth in the table, while Rayo remain 14th. Pressure has been building on Simeone, who has won two league titles in almost 14 years in charge. Alvarez scored 29 goals in all competitions for Atletico in his first season and has four in six games this season. Atletico host rivals and league leaders Real Madrid on Saturday at 15: 15 BST. Barcelona's Gavi out for up to five months Last Updated 24th September 2025 at 22: 36 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 Manager: Iñigo Pérez Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 Manager: Iñigo Pérez Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Spanish La Liga All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Atletico Madrid 3, Rayo Vallecano 2. Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano) is shown the yellow card. Second Half ends, Atletico Madrid 3, Rayo Vallecano 2. Andrei Ratiu (Rayo Vallecano) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Andrei Ratiu (Rayo Vallecano). Attempt missed. Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nico González with a through ball. Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card. Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jozhua Vertrouwd (Rayo Vallecano). Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano). Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time. Goal! Atletico Madrid 3, Rayo Vallecano 2. Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Giuliano Simeone. Pep Chavarría (Rayo Vallecano) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card. Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Pep Chavarría (Rayo Vallecano). Substitution, Rayo Vallecano. Gerard Gumbau replaces Isi Palazón. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.