Madrid’s derby night belonged to Atlético, who absorbed a scrappy first half, found the decisive opening after the interval and then held their nerve as Real Madrid turned a controlled contest into a late siege at the Metropolitano. Grimaldo converted a penalty, Jonathan David added a second and Antonio Rüdiger’s late header gave the visitors hope before Atlético closed out a 2-1 win.
Atlético head into the break above their neighbours
The victory sends Diego Simeone’s side into the international break in second place, ahead of Real Madrid and five points behind a Barcelona team that has won every league match so far. It was a derby shaped by restraint for long periods, then by the pace and persistence of Giuliano Simeone, whose influence ran from the game-changing penalty incident to the final defensive work in stoppage time.
Atlético began with three centre-backs and Cardoso as their only natural holding midfielder, supported by Marcos Llorente. The arrangement gave them protection but little early attacking momentum. Madrid, set up as expected, were equally wary; both teams appeared more focused on preventing danger than forcing the issue.
- Real Madrid’s first-half attempts amounted to two off-target strikes from outside the area.
- Giuliano’s cross-shot was Atlético’s most notable attacking moment before half-time.
- Much of the opening period’s energy came from confrontations and refereeing disputes rather than football.
A tense first half around Ortiz Arias
Referee Ortiz Arias became a central figure as the match grew increasingly heated. Arda Güler escaped a booking for dissent, while Simeone was cautioned after protesting. Mourinho was not shown a card for a similar reaction.
There was further confusion when Jude Bellingham initially appeared to be booked, only for the yellow card to be redirected to Cuti after a challenge with his studs raised. Kang-in Lee also made a heavy tackle on Federico Valverde as control of the match began to fray.
Giuliano changes the rhythm after the interval
Atlético altered the balance at half-time, with Pubill remaining in the dressing room and Koke entering the midfield. The home side emerged with greater purpose, Baena testing Thibaut Courtois soon after the restart.
The breakthrough followed a forward pass from Hancko towards Giuliano. The Atlético winger got ahead of Huijsen inside the area and was pulled back by the defender. The initial decision was a penalty and yellow card, but the video review concluded Huijsen had no realistic chance of playing the ball, turning the caution into a dismissal.
Grimaldo made no mistake from the spot to put Atlético ahead. Mourinho responded by taking off Güler and Vinicius, who had made little impact, and sending on Rüdiger and Diomande.
With Madrid reduced to 10 men, Atlético nearly made the game safe much earlier. Courtois saved Cuti’s header, then Konaté cleared La Araña’s follow-up from the goal line. Atlético were largely able to keep possession against an opponent struggling to create, although Oblak was eventually needed after Cuti hesitated over a ball and Diomande seized on the opportunity. The Slovenian goalkeeper preserved the lead.
David’s second, Rüdiger’s response and a nervous finish
The match appeared settled when Giuliano created Atlético’s second goal for Canadian forward Jonathan David. Madrid had also introduced Bernardo Silva, but the home side looked comfortable until the 89th minute.
Simeone made two substitutions before a Madrid free-kick from a wide position, and Rüdiger headed in to reduce the deficit. Six minutes of added time brought unease around the Metropolitano, particularly when Julián sent a chance narrowly wide of the post that could have restored Atlético’s two-goal advantage.
Madrid committed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, but Giuliano continued to cover ground at the other end, helping defend the result that his attacking work had made possible. Atlético survived the final push and claimed a derby victory bearing Simeone’s stamp: his work from the technical area matched by his son’s decisive contribution on the pitch.
