Atletico Madrid v Sociedad | Match Highlights | LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 35
Atletico Madrid v Sociedad
In a breathtaking display of clinical finishing and unrelenting attacking prowess, Alexander Sørloth etched his name into LaLiga history by scoring all four goals—including the fastest hat-trick ever recorded in the Spanish top flight—as Atletico Madrid dismantled Real Sociedad in a commanding 4-0 rout at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The Norwegian striker, donning the number nine jersey for the hosts, turned the match into a one-man showcase, single-handedly dismantling the visitors’ defense within the opening half hour and sending the Atletico faithful into raptures. Sørloth’s extraordinary performance was not just a triumph of individual brilliance but a statement of intent from Diego Simeone’s side, who have rediscovered their swagger at home and solidified their reputation as a formidable force in LaLiga. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, with the red-and-white-clad supporters roaring their approval as each goal flew past a beleaguered Real Sociedad defense, which seemed utterly powerless to stem the tide of Sørloth’s onslaught. By the time the final whistle blew, Atletico had not only secured a resounding victory but also extended their impressive unbeaten home streak against Sociedad to 12 matches, with 10 of those encounters ending in triumph. For Sørloth, the match was a career-defining moment, a performance that reaffirmed his status as one of LaLiga’s most lethal strikers and drew comparisons to some of the club’s most iconic forwards. The significance of his achievement was underscored by the historical context: his opening three goals, scored in a mere 11 minutes, marked the earliest hat-trick in LaLiga’s storied history, a record that will likely stand for years to come. As the fans spilled out into the Madrid night, their chants of Sørloth’s name echoed through the streets, a testament to a night that would be remembered as a masterclass in goal-scoring.
Sørloth’s heroics began almost immediately, as Atletico wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just seven minutes into the match, the towering Swede broke the deadlock with a moment of sublime technique, latching onto a deep, arcing cross from midfielder Pablo Barrios and unleashing a ferocious volley that left Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Álex Remiro, rooted to the spot. The strike was a thing of beauty, combining power, precision, and poise, and it set the tone for what would become a relentless first half for the hosts. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano erupted, sensing that something special was unfolding. Barely three minutes later, Sørloth struck again, this time showcasing his versatility by drilling a low, venomous shot from the edge of the penalty area after a quick exchange of passes with his teammates. The ball fizzed past Remiro, who could only watch as it nestled into the bottom corner, doubling Atletico’s lead and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Real Sociedad, already reeling, were dealt a fatal blow in the 11th minute when Sørloth completed his historic hat-trick. Another dangerous cross from the right—this time poorly defended by the visitors—found its way to the Norwegian, who rose above his marker and powered a close-range effort into the roof of the net. The sheer speed of his scoring spree left pundits and fans alike scrambling for superlatives, as the record books were rewritten in real time. Sørloth’s third goal not only secured his place in LaLiga lore but also exposed the fragility of a Sociedad side that had arrived in Madrid on the back of a troubling winless streak. The visitors’ defense, usually so resolute, was in disarray, unable to cope with Atletico’s relentless pressure and Sørloth’s predatory instincts.
The Norwegian’s appetite for goals showed no signs of abating as the first half progressed. On the half-hour mark, Atletico launched a lightning-fast counterattack, with left-back Javi Galán surging forward and laying the ball off to Sørloth in the penalty area. With the composure of a seasoned veteran, the striker took a touch before rifling his fourth goal past Remiro, who was left grasping at thin air once again. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano was now a cauldron of noise, with fans chanting Sørloth’s name in unison as the scoreboard reflected an emphatic 4-0 lead. Remarkably, the Swede came agonizingly close to adding a fifth goal shortly after the interval, when he unleashed a fierce volley that crashed against the crossbar, the woodwork denying him a quintuple that would have further cemented his legend. The near-miss only added to the sense of awe surrounding his performance, as spectators marveled at the sheer audacity of a player who seemed capable of scoring at will. Sørloth’s four-goal haul was all the more remarkable given that he had achieved the same feat just last season, during a thrilling 4-4 draw between Villarreal and Real Madrid. That performance had hinted at his potential, but this display against Real Sociedad was a definitive statement, a reminder that he was not just a one-season wonder but a genuine star in the making. His 13 goals in 16 home games this LaLiga campaign—a tally unmatched by an Atletico player since Luis Suárez’s 14 in 2020-21—underscored his importance to Simeone’s project and silenced any lingering doubts about his ability to lead the line for one of Spain’s biggest clubs.
While Sørloth was the undisputed star, Atletico’s performance as a collective was equally impressive. Diego Simeone’s side played with the kind of intensity and cohesion that has become their trademark under the Argentine’s stewardship, suffocating Real Sociedad with their high pressing and exploiting every defensive lapse with ruthless efficiency. The hosts’ midfield, led by the industrious Barrios, dictated the tempo from the outset, while the backline, marshaled by the imperious José María Giménez, ensured another clean sheet, Atletico’s third in succession. Even when substitute Ángel Correa entered the fray in the second half, the hosts maintained their dominance, with the Argentine forward nearly adding a fifth goal in stoppage time, only to be thwarted by a fine save from Remiro. That moment, while inconsequential to the final result, served as a reminder of Atletico’s depth and their ability to maintain pressure even when the game was effectively won. For Simeone, the victory was a vindication of his methods, which have often been criticized for their pragmatism but have consistently delivered results at home. The fact that Atletico have now gone 12 matches unbeaten against Real Sociedad at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano—winning 10 of those—speaks to the fortress-like atmosphere that Simeone has cultivated, where opponents, no matter their pedigree, are made to suffer. This latest triumph was not just a win but a statement, a signal to the rest of LaLiga that Atletico are a force to be reckoned with as the season approaches its critical juncture.
For Real Sociedad, the match was a painful continuation of their recent woes. The Basque side, once a model of consistency and defensive solidity, arrived in Madrid on a dismal run of form, having failed to win in their last five matches and drawing a blank in their previous three. The 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Atletico only deepened their crisis, exposing frailties in both defense and attack that manager Imanol Alguacil will be desperate to address. Sociedad’s inability to deal with Atletico’s crosses was particularly glaring, with each of Sørloth’s first three goals stemming from deliveries from the right flank that should have been cleared. The visitors’ midfield, usually so dynamic, was overrun by Atletico’s relentless pressing, while their forward line, led by the usually dangerous Mikel Oyarzabal, failed to register a single shot on target. The defeat left Sociedad languishing in mid-table, their hopes of European qualification fading with each passing week. For Alguacil, the challenge now is to arrest this slide and restore confidence to a squad that has lost its way. The trip to Madrid, always a daunting prospect, had exposed the gulf in quality and mentality between the two sides, and the long journey back to San Sebastián would undoubtedly be filled with introspection and soul-searching.
As the dust settled on a memorable evening at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the narrative belonged squarely to Alexander Sørloth. His four-goal masterclass was not just a personal triumph but a moment of collective joy for Atletico Madrid, a club that thrives on the passion and defiance embodied by their talismanic striker. The Norwegian’s record-breaking hat-trick, scored in a blistering 11 minutes, was a feat that will be talked about for generations, a reminder of the magic that football can produce when a player is in full flow. For the fans, who have endured their share of ups and downs in recent years, Sørloth’s performance was a beacon of hope, a sign that their team is capable of greatness. As they poured out of the stadium, their voices hoarse from chanting, they carried with them the memory of a night when their number nine had conquered all, leaving Real Sociedad in tatters and LaLiga history forever altered.
