Real Madrid held the advantage in the league race, pulling four points ahead of Girona, ten ahead of Barça, and thirteen in front of Atlético. A victory over Míchel’s side next weekend at the Santiago Bernabéu would push them seven points clear. Yet the match unraveled when Llorente gathered a poorly cleared ball in the red and white area, undoing the earlier momentum. The contest concluded as part of a trio of high-scoring derbies, leaving both sides with a sense of relief and frustration. Madrid clinched the Super Cup with a decisive 5-3 win over Simeone’s Atlético, and had earlier eliminated them in the Cup semi-final. Brahim and Llorente put Madrid ahead in a dramatic league clash, while Savic had a goal ruled out after Sánchez Martínez’s assistant, Raúl Cabañero, signaled offside as the ball moved toward the middle of the field. The whistle prompted a volley of complaints from Madrid, who believed a late penalty should have been awarded to Bellingham.
The match began with an early break from the players, and Ancelotti opted to field Carvajal as a central defender, trading aerial strength for a different balance. News arrived during warmups: Vinicius and Rodrygo were declared fit, but Joselu started warming up in an unexpected adjustment. Vinicius showed a neck concern, raising questions about his long-term availability, while Brahim took the field. The setup resembled Brazil’s style in its speed and space, with Carletto shifting Rodrygo to the left and Brahim to the right, enabling wheel-play while Bellingham operated through the middle as a false nine. Simeone countered with his classic 5-3-2, packing the flanks with Llorente and Riquelme to pressure Vinicius, and relying on a solid three-man barrier with Saúl and De Paul behind Koke’s back.
Madrid started strongly, attempting three shots in the opening five minutes through Bellingham, Brahim, and Camavinga, only to fall behind each time. Atlético’s first window of opportunity came in the 7th minute with Morata, followed closely by Griezmann’s emergence as the match settled into a familiar rhythm: Madrid kept possession, Atlético sat deeper, and long balls tested Madrid’s aerial defense. As the minutes passed, the Colchoneros widened the field to exploit Madrid’s vulnerability in the air.
Brahim’s strike and Savic’s disallowed goal
In a moment that appeared routine, Atlético pressed their own half and cleared the ball twice without forcing, allowing Madrid to recycle possession. Brahim regained control, calmly driving the ball into the net in the 20th minute. The equalizer seemed possible from a center-forward position where Lunin’s limitations could be exposed, and it reflected Madrid’s finishing touch against Atlético’s hesitant defense rather than sheer aggression. The first half closed with Madrid pressing forward while Simeone’s men absorbed the pressure, though they had only managed a couple of shots on target against Madrid’s dominance. The game’s tempo suggested a need for a tactical adjustment after halftime, as Atlético barely added two attempts from Savic and Saúl. There were clear signs of misalignment on the field, a symptom of the dynamic contest.
The latter stages of the first half and the opening of the second reshaped the match. Carletto brought on Joselu to disrupt Atlético’s high press and to create space for teammates. Simeone responded by deploying fresh firepower from the bench: Barrios, Lino, and Memphis were introduced in an attempt to widen the attack while keeping the defense intact. Atlético pressed higher, and Griezmann’s shot found Savic, who finished in the crowded area. The visitors celebrated the conceded goal, though Sánchez Martínez’ assistant ruled an offside position that prevented the strike from counting. Moments later, Lucas Vázquez appealed for a penalty in the visitors’ box, but the referee stood firm. The match also saw a late appeal for a handball that was not given, similar to calls Madrid questioned around Bellingham near the hour mark.
Judgement on the bench: a controversial officiating show
With both managers issuing instructions from the touchline, the bench became a focal point of tension. Simeone trusted his entire attacking bench of Barrios, Memphis, Lino, and Correa, while Sánchez Martínez faced the crowd’s discontent, drawing chants that reflected a belief of bias within the federation. Both coaches were vocal as the minutes slipped away, urging their players to maintain shape and push for an advantage. Madrid used Joselu’s presence to blunt Atlético’s pressure and to open routes for teammates, a tactical pivot that paid dividends as the game wore on. In the later stages, Brahim was withdrawn to a standing ovation after contributing a crucial second goal for Madrid.
As the clock ticked down, Lunin made a crucial save that preserved Madrid’s position after Griezmann’s heel redirected a shot toward the goal. Madrid evaluated their options to preserve the lead, but a late cross failed to clear and Llorente appeared from behind to head the ball home, sealing a result that left the Bernabéu questioning several decisions and calling for clearer officiating. The derby finished with more controversy than football, a reminder that rivalry can eclipse tactical nuance and individual brilliance.
In summary, the match delivered a rollercoaster of emotions and key moments that shape the title race. Madrid showed resilience, exploiting space and pace while defending under pressure. Atlético demonstrated grit and a willingness to press, even as the officiating added another layer of drama. The result reinforced Madrid’s hold on the league lead, while the Reds and Blues left the field with questions that will fuel expectations for the season’s remaining fixtures. Attribution: This analysis reflects post-match summaries and match reports from contemporary coverage. (Source: sport commentary summaries and league coverage: for detailed game events and statistics see licensed sports reporting materials.)