Atletico Madrid beat 10-man Real Madrid 2:1 to take second place in La Liga

Physical opening half at the Metropolitano

Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2:1 at the Estadio Metropolitano on Sunday in the seventh round of the La Liga season. The victory extended Atletico's four-year unbeaten home streak against their cross-town rivals, leaving Real Madrid without a win at the venue across all competitions since 18 September 2022. The first half developed into a tightly contested affair characterized by frequent fouls and disciplinary interventions. Diego Simeone received an early yellow card on the touchline, while Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho argued with match officials over challenges between Alex Baena and Arda Güler. Güler tested Jan Oblak with a long-range shot five minutes before the interval, while Thibaut Courtois stopped an effort from Lee Kang-in and a 47th-minute strike by Baena. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias also reviewed a 37th-minute collision between Jude Bellingham and Marc Pubill, rescinding Bellingham's caution while booking Pubill.

Red card and two goals in six minutes

The fixture turned decisively in Atletico's favor four minutes into the second half. In the 49th minute, David Hancko delivered a long ball behind the Real Madrid defense into the path of Giuliano Simeone. Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen pulled Simeone down inside the penalty area, leading Ortiz Arias to point to the penalty spot. After checking the pitchside monitor via a VAR review, the referee upgraded Huijsen's initial yellow card to a direct red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Alejandro Grimaldo converted the penalty in the 53rd minute to break the deadlock. Jose Mourinho responded immediately with a double substitution, introducing Antonio Rüdiger and Sinaly Diomande for Güler and Vinicius Junior. Atletico capitalized on their extra man in the 59th minute when Giuliano Simeone crossed low from the right flank for Jonathan David to sweep the ball into the net.

Late pressure and defensive clearance

Atletico continued to dictate the tempo following their two-goal burst, recording 14 shots with nine on target across the second half. Jonathan David was replaced shortly after his goal by Julian Alvarez, who nearly added a third in the 66th minute. Courtois saved an initial header from Giuliano Simeone, and Ibrahima Konate blocked Alvarez's follow-up effort with a goal-line clearance. Despite playing with ten men, Real Madrid pushed forward in the final 15 minutes of regulation. Antonio Rüdiger halved the deficit in the 89th minute by scoring from close range. Atletico introduced Robin Le Normand and Morten Hjulmand in the closing stages, successfully resisting late pressure to secure all three points.

Impact on the La Liga standings

The result moved Atletico Madrid up to second place in the La Liga standings with 16 points from seven matches. Real Madrid dropped to third place on 15 points, recording their second defeat of the league campaign following an earlier loss to Real Betis. Barcelona retained top spot on 21 points with a perfect seven-win record, having beaten Sevilla 3:1 on Saturday behind a hat-trick from Raphinha, who leads the league with 12 goals. Real Betis entered Sunday evening on 15 points with a match in hand against Deportivo La Coruna, giving them an opportunity to climb into second place above both capital clubs.