Julián Álvarez snaps 174-day scoring drought with a stunner to level Atlético against Stuttgart

More than five months without scoring is enough to make anyone wonder if something's wrong. And yet, when the goal finally came, it was the kind that makes you forget the wait. Julián Álvarez found the net again for Atlético Madrid, and he did it with a stunner that leveled the score at 1-1 against Stuttgart at the MHP Arena, in matchday three of the UEFA Champions League league phase.

The number that best captures the drought came from Diego Simeone himself in the post-match press conference: 174 days without a goal. The Argentine coach didn't just celebrate the strike, he also pointed to the forward's overall performance throughout the match. "Especially for the game he had, an incredible physical effort. He worked parts of the match as an inside left. The goal was a wonderful goal and I'm really happy for him, we needed it," the coach explained.

The equalizer also had a name attached to it on the bench. At halftime, Simeone shuffled his lineup and brought on Ademola Lookman, looking for more depth out wide. The change paid off almost immediately: right as the second half kicked off, Lookman received the ball on the left and connected with Julián inside the box. The Argentine controlled it near the penalty spot and fired a powerful, curling left-footed shot that left the opposing goalkeeper with no chance. It was the 47th minute when the score evened back up.

A goal that matters beyond the result

Simeone didn't hold back his praise for the World Cup champion. According to the coach, Julián "is decisive in getting us to the places we need to reach," a line that sums up what Atlético expects from him for the rest of the season. But he also left a request with an eye on the near future:

Let's hope he gradually starts to find what he showed us today.Diego Simeone

The context helps explain why this goal carries special weight. It's Julián Álvarez's first goal for Atlético in the 2026-27 season, after several weeks in which his name was tied to transfer rumors linking him with a move to Barcelona. Before this left-footed strike in Stuttgart, the forward hadn't scored since April 24, in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal.

With this draw, Atlético picks up another matchday in a league phase that keeps demanding results, and Julián's goal arrives exactly when the team needed it most: to avoid defeat and, in the process, to help its top attacking threat start to loosen up. If Simeone's wish comes true, what was seen at the MHP Arena could be just the first step toward something bigger.