Madrid’s derby turned on a penalty, a red card and one relentless shift from Giuliano Simeone. Atlético beat Real Madrid 2-0 on matchday seven of La Liga, with Diego Simeone’s son central to both goals.
Quick facts
- Atlético Madrid won the derby 2-0 against Real Madrid.
- Giuliano Simeone won the penalty for the opening goal and set up David for the second.
- Real defender Dean Huijsen was sent off in the 49th minute after conceding the penalty.
- Former Paris Saint-Germain player Kang-in Lee was involved in Atlético’s second goal.
- Thibaut Courtois made a major save from Cristian Romero in the 67th minute.
Giuliano Simeone answered questions over his place in Atlético’s starting line-up with a decisive derby performance. The Argentina international repeatedly tracked back, supplied the running without the ball and made the difference in the attacking moments.
He earned the spot-kick that put Atlético ahead, then provided the pass for David to score the second. It was a complete display from the forward, combining end product with the defensive work demanded in a match of this intensity.
Huijsen’s difficult evening had begun before his dismissal. The Real centre-back looked uncertain in several first-half interventions and was beaten in a dangerous duel by Kang-in Lee in the 22nd minute.
The decisive incident arrived four minutes after the restart. Huijsen committed a foul inside his own area, was shown a red card and handed Atlético the penalty which effectively ended Real’s hopes of a recovery.
Courtois prevented the scoreline becoming still heavier. The Belgian goalkeeper produced an outstanding stop to deny Cristian Romero’s header in the 67th minute, although he had no realistic chance on either Atlético goal.
Kang-in Lee brought energy and aggression, while also playing a role in the move for Atlético’s second. The former PSG midfielder was fortunate, however, not to see red shortly before half-time after a forceful challenge that went unpunished beyond the immediate moment.
Romero also escaped with only a booking after catching Jude Bellingham on the knee with his studs in the 37th minute. The Argentine defender was not entirely secure in possession either, later heading the ball straight towards Yan Diomandé in the 77th minute and nearly creating a Real goal.
Vinicius Junior endured another quiet night for Real. The Brazilian sent two efforts off target, struggled to create his usual attacking separation and offered little defensive cover for Marc Cucurella before being replaced by Diomandé in the 54th minute.
