Real Madrid were staring into the derby abyss on Sunday until Thibaut Courtois and Ibrahima Konaté produced a remarkable two-man rescue act against Atlético de Madrid. With the hosts pressing for a decisive third goal after the hour, the Belgian goalkeeper and French defender kept their side alive before Antonio Rüdiger struck late.
Key takeaways
- Atlético led through an Alejandro Grimaldo penalty in the 53rd minute and a Jonathan David goal six minutes later.
- Dean Huijsen was sent off after conceding the penalty.
- Courtois denied Cristian Romero’s header before Konaté cleared Julián Alvarez’s effort from the goal line in the 66th minute.
- Konaté also dealt with David Hancko’s follow-up delivery during Atlético’s sustained attack.
- Rüdiger pulled one back for Real Madrid in the 89th minute.
- Real entered the match second in La Liga, having won the previous two meetings with Atlético.
A defensive stand prevents the derby from slipping away
The pivotal moment arrived shortly after the hour, when Atlético had the chance to turn their advantage into an overwhelming one. Courtois first reacted to keep out Romero’s header, before the danger continued inside the Real area.
Álvarez then sent an effort towards goal, only for Konaté to make a vital clearance on the line in the 66th minute. The France international remained alert as Hancko returned the ball into the danger zone, clearing again to end a sequence that could have put Atlético three goals ahead.
Real reduced to ten before late Rüdiger goal
Real’s trouble had begun in the 53rd minute, when Huijsen fouled an opponent in the penalty area. Grimaldo converted from the spot and Huijsen was dismissed for the challenge, leaving Real with ten men.
Jonathan David doubled Atlético’s lead in the 59th minute, placing Real under severe pressure in a match they had approached from second place in the league table. Rüdiger’s 89th-minute goal gave the visitors a late response, but it came only after Courtois and Konaté had made sure the derby had not already been settled by Atlético’s third goal.
