Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez scored twice from the spot as they beat bottom side Real Valladolid 4-2 at a rainy Metropolitano on Monday to stay in the title race.

Third-placed Atletico have 63 points, three behind Real Madrid and seven behind Barcelona. Valladolid are 14 points adrift on 16 with seven games to play.

Valladolid took a surprise lead on 21 minutes when Mamadou Sylla calmly converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Clément Lenglet.

The advantage was short-lived, however, as Álvarez levelled from the spot four minutes later after another VAR intervention following a foul by Javi Sánchez on Giuliano Simeone, who himself scored to put Atlético ahead in the 27th minute.

But the visitors stunned Atlético once more in the 56th minute when Sanchez's free-kick deflected off Conor Gallagher and into the wall, beating goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Atlético regained the lead in the 71st minute with another well-taken penalty from Álvarez after Henrique had fouled Marcos Llorente, before substitute Alexander Sorloth sealed the win with a close-range finish from the rebound.

"These are three important points," Atlético striker Álvarez told DAZN. "We have to keep going. Think about [Saturday's game at] Las Palmas, rest and focus. That's all.

"I had a few other chances for a hat-trick but the important thing is that we were able to win. At some point it got complicated, but we pulled it off."

"We competed well. We knew we were going to suffer. It's a pity they came back," Valladolid's Sanchez said. "We have to keep going and continue in this vein. Leave the crest where it deserves to be. We have to take it one game at a time. Fight until the end."