Madrid, Sept. 25 -- Julian Alvarez scored a hat-trick to give Atletico Madrid a vital 3-2 win in its derby at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Atletico looked to be heading for a defeat that would have left Diego Simeone's side 12 points off the top of the table, before Alvarez scored two late goals to turn the game around on Wednesday night.
The Argentinian put Atletico in front with an excellent finish after 14 minutes, but his side was pegged back when Josep Chavarria equalized for Rayo before halftime and Alvaro Garcia put the visitors ahead in the 76th minute.
Alvarez levelled a chaotic game just three minutes later after an error from Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla and he then won the match with two minutes left of normal time with a left-...