Atlético Madrid defeat Real Madrid 2–1 in fiery derby after Dean Huijsen red card
Goals from Álex Grimaldo and Jonathan David gave Atlético Madrid a 2–1 win over ten-man Real Madrid in matchday seven of La Liga, leaving the visitors six points off the top.
First-half tension and refereeing reviews
The opening Madrid derby of the 2026–2027 season at the Metropolitano began with immediate friction on the sidelines, where Atlético manager Diego Simeone received a yellow card for dissent in the opening minutes. Clear scoring chances remained scarce in the first half as both sides prioritised defensive structure. A contentious moment unfolded around the 37th minute when Cristian Romero stepped on Jude Bellingham. Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias initially cautioned Bellingham, but after an on-field VAR review for a potential red card, Ortiz Arias rescinded the booking for Bellingham and showed a yellow card to Romero. Tempers flared again as the teams headed toward the tunnel at the interval, where Morten Hjulmand and Antonio Rüdiger engaged in a verbal altercation.
Huijsen red card and quick Atlético goals
The match shifted early in the second half through a penalty sequence. In the 53rd minute, Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen fouled Giuliano Simeone inside the penalty area. Ortiz Arias initially brandished a yellow card before reviewing the pitchside monitor and upgrading the sanction to a straight red card. Álex Grimaldo stepped up to convert the spot-kick past Thibaut Courtois to open the scoring. Atlético extended their advantage shortly after in the 59th minute, when Giuliano Simeone delivered a low cross on the counter-attack, allowing Jonathan David to tap home unmarked. Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois later denied Julián Álvarez, with Ibrahima Konaté clearing the follow-up attempt off the goal line.
- Diego Simeone receives a yellow card for protesting referee decisions.
- Cristian Romero receives a yellow card after a VAR check reverses an initial booking for Jude Bellingham.
- Morten Hjulmand and Antonio Rüdiger clash in a verbal dispute entering the tunnel.
- Dean Huijsen is sent off after a VAR review and concedes a penalty.
- Álex Grimaldo scores from the penalty spot to give Atlético Madrid the lead.
- Jonathan David scores from Giuliano Simeone's cross to double the lead.
- Antonio Rüdiger scores for Real Madrid from a Bernardo Silva assist.
Late rally and league standings
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho reshuffled his lineup in search of a comeback, having withdrawn Vinícius Júnior in the 54th minute and introducing Bernardo Silva in the 82nd minute. The substitution bore fruit in the 89th minute when Silva provided the assist for Rüdiger to score a consolation goal. Real Madrid had also protested a challenge from Kang-in Lee on Federico Valverde's ankle earlier in the match, which went unpunished. The 2–1 loss marked Real Madrid's second league defeat in seven fixtures, keeping them in third place with 15 points. Atlético climbed into second place with 16 points, while Barcelona lead the table with 21 points following a 3–1 victory over Sevilla behind a hat-trick from Raphinha.
- Barcelona
- 21 pts
- Atlético Madrid
- 16 pts
- Real Madrid
- 15 pts
Managerial context and upcoming fixtures
The fixture marked Mourinho's return to the Madrid derby after 13 years, his previous appearance dating back to the May 2013 Copa del Rey final against Simeone's Atlético. Speaking ahead of the match, Mourinho addressed his relationship with the Argentine manager:
As for Simeone, they called me to speak in his documentary and I didn't hesitate for a minute. He knows what I think of him. The first thing is respect. We are rivals, but comrades in war.
La Liga now enters an international break before resuming action. In matchday eight, Real Madrid host Villarreal at home, while Atlético travel to the Basque Country to face Deportivo Alavés.
