The Riyadh Air Metropolitan Stadium once again became an impregnable fiefdom for the home team. In an afternoon full of tactical tension, high-impact referee decisions and a dizzying complementary stretch, Atlético de Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1, giving Chamartín’s team a hard setback in the fight for the top of LaLiga.
The Madrid derby began with a chess approach. During the first forty-five minutes, both teams prioritized defensive solvency over offensive outburst.
With a Real Madrid looking for fluidity through Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé, and an Atlético retreating in order under the leadership of Cuti Romero, clear chances were scarce before the break, leaving the scoreboard intact.
The final breaking point of the meeting occurred just after the actions resumed. In the 51st minute, an attack into the area by the Colchonero team ended in a foul in the area committed by white centre-back Dean Huijsen.
After the VAR review, the referee ordered a penalty and expulsion with a direct red card for the merengue defender, leaving the visiting team with ten men on the field.
Alejandro Grimaldo took responsibility from the penalty spot and calmly converted the charge in the 53rd minute to open the scoring.
With the numerical and mental advantage in their favor, the locals turned their momentum towards the goal defended by Thibaut Courtois. Just six minutes later, in the 59th minute, forward Jonathan David capitalized on an inattention in the Madrid defense to make it 2-0, unleashing euphoria in the red and white stands.
Despite being two goals behind and with one less player, Real Madrid tried to react in the final stretch with pride. The merengue coach reorganized the scheme and introduced Antonio Rüdiger to the field of play.
It was precisely the German center back who gave the visitors a modicum of hope in the 89th minute, scoring the goal with an accurate shot that made it 2-1. However, the effort was not enough to achieve the epic and the final whistle sealed the red and white victory, according to El País.
This victory allows Atlético de Madrid to close the gap in the general classification and consolidate its position in the forefront of LaLiga.
For its part, Real Madrid leaves beaten by the effectiveness of its rival from the capital and forced to correct defensive errors after giving up three crucial points.
