In a stunning display of talent and precision, Alexander Sorloth propelled Atletico Madrid to a resounding 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the 35th round of La Liga on May 10, 2025. The Norwegian striker, who has often played a supporting role this season, seized the opportunity to start and made it count, netting four goals in just 30 minutes, leaving the visitors from San Sebastián utterly overwhelmed.
Before the match, expectations were tempered, with both teams struggling to find their footing in the league. Atletico Madrid, having invested a staggering 180 million euros in reinforcements for a title challenge, found themselves lingering in third place, nine points clear of fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad, accustomed to vying for a top-four finish, was languishing in 12th place, four points adrift of eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano.
As the match kicked off at Estadio Metropolitano, the early signs of dominance from Atletico were evident. Just seven minutes in, Sorloth opened the scoring with a brilliant finish, receiving a pinpoint pass and slotting the ball into the top corner. His second goal came just three minutes later, as he expertly converted a cross, sending a low shot past Sociedad's goalkeeper Alex Remiro.
In a remarkable turn of events, Sorloth completed his hat-trick in a mere 3 minutes and 57 seconds, marking the fastest hat-trick in La Liga history. The previous record of 15 minutes was held by Bebeto since 1995. Sorloth's third goal came about a minute after his second, capitalizing on a defensive mishap to find the back of the net once again, showcasing his instinctive finishing ability.
By the 30th minute, Sorloth added a fourth goal to his tally, receiving a well-placed pass from Javi Galan and coolly slotting it past Remiro. The first half ended with Atletico Madrid in complete control and Real Sociedad struggling to mount any form of attack, having failed to register a single shot on target.
The second half, however, saw a drop in intensity as Atletico appeared to ease off the gas. Both teams managed only one shot on target each, with Real Sociedad finally testing Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the 57th minute. Despite the lack of scoring opportunities, Sorloth's first-half performance had already sealed the match.
As the final whistle blew, Atletico Madrid celebrated a significant victory, which solidified their hold on third place in La Liga with 70 points. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, faced a harsh reality, remaining in 12th place with 43 points and grappling with questions about their future. Coach Imanol Alguacil, who announced he would not continue with the club next season, witnessed his team’s struggles firsthand.
"It was a fantastic performance from Alexander," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. "He showed why we brought him here, and we hope he can continue this form as we head into the final stretch of the season." Meanwhile, Alguacil reflected on his team’s disappointing outing, stating, "We need to regroup and find a way to finish the season stronger. This is not the standard we aspire to."
For Sorloth, the match was a personal triumph, elevating him to fourth place in the La Liga scoring charts with 17 goals. His remarkable achievement not only highlighted his capabilities but also served as a reminder of the potential within Atletico Madrid's squad, despite their challenges this season.
Looking ahead, Atletico Madrid will face Osasuna on April 15, while Real Sociedad will look to bounce back against Girona on May 13. As the season draws to a close, both teams have much to play for, albeit with differing motivations.
