Atlético Madrid emerged victorious in a fiery La Liga derby, defeating city rivals Real Madrid 2-1. The match’s turning point came with Dean Huijsen’s red card for Real, which paved the way for Jonathan David to score the decisive goal for the hosts.
Huijsen Dismissal Shifts Momentum
The contest at the Civitas Metropolitano was finely balanced until shortly after the interval. A long ball from David Hancko found Giuliano Simeone racing into the penalty area, where he was brought down by Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen. Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz immediately pointed to the spot. Following a VAR review, which confirmed the penalty and assessed the card colour, Huijsen was shown a red card, leaving Real Madrid with ten men.
Álex Grimaldo stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, putting Atlético Madrid in front. The numerical advantage soon told, as Atlético capitalised to double their lead. Lee Kang-in initiated the move, working the ball to Giuliano Simeone on the right flank. Simeone then delivered a low cross from six yards, which Jonathan David expertly turned into the net.
Real’s Late Rally Falls Short
Despite being a man down, Real Madrid mounted a late challenge. Antonio Rüdiger pulled a goal back for Los Blancos with a header from a dead ball, sparking a brief period of intense pressure. Atlético Madrid, however, managed to hold off the late rally. Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save to deny Cristian Romero, and Ibrahima Konaté cleared a shot off the line from Julián Álvarez, ensuring Atlético preserved their lead until the final whistle.
Heated Encounter and Managerial Reactions
The derby marked José Mourinho’s first return to the Real Madrid dugout for this fixture, ending in defeat. It was also 13 years since Mourinho and Diego Simeone last faced each other in a Madrid derby, a match Atlético won in the Copa del Rey final. This latest encounter was similarly heated, featuring repeated confrontations throughout.
Incidents included a card for Jude Bellingham being reversed after a VAR review, and both Atlético’s goalkeeper coach and Real’s assistant manager being sent off at half-time. Following the match, Diego Simeone celebrated wildly, reflecting the special energy he believes derby week brings to Madrid. In contrast, Mourinho arrived at his press conference with images of two incidents he felt should have resulted in red cards for Atlético players, specifically involving Lee Kang-in and Cristian Romero, arguing these moments were central to the game’s outcome.
Competition Impact
The victory provides Atlético Madrid with significant momentum, building on a recent run that includes a win over Real Sociedad. For Real Madrid, the defeat means they will need to respond quickly, having previously secured a victory over Rayo Vallecano, as the La Liga title race continues to unfold.