Atletico Madrid Beat 10-Man Real Madrid in Fiery La Liga Derby

Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano to move above their city rivals in La Liga, with Dean Huijsen’s second-half dismissal proving the pivotal moment in a fiercely contested derby.

Alex Grimaldo converted the resulting penalty after Huijsen was sent off, and Jonathan David added Atletico’s second from Giuliano Simeone’s cross. Antonio Rudiger gave Real late hope with a header, but the visitors could not complete a recovery with 10 men.

Quick facts

• Atletico Madrid won the derby 2-1 at the Metropolitano.
• Dean Huijsen was shown a red card after a VAR review early in the second half.
• Alex Grimaldo scored from the penalty spot before Jonathan David made it 2-0.
• Antonio Rudiger pulled one back from a Bernardo Silva free-kick.
• Real Madrid go into the international break six points behind Barcelona, who remain perfect.

The match had been heated well before the decisive incident. Real were angered when Cristian Romero received only a yellow card for a high challenge on Jude Bellingham, despite the video officials advising referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias to review a possible sending-off.

Ortiz Arias checked the monitor but did not alter his original booking. Real’s frustration increased after Lee Kang-in caught Federico Valverde in another robust challenge that brought no further sanction.

The first half finished without a goal, although Atletico had imposed much of the rhythm. Real’s players and bench appeared increasingly preoccupied by the officiating, while the home side’s energy and pressing gave them greater control.

Giuliano Simeone was central to that performance, repeatedly driving at Marc Cucurella and supplying the intensity Atletico demanded. Diego Simeone had selected Pubill for added defensive security and left Julian Alvarez among the substitutes, decisions that helped Atletico keep the contest tight before the interval.

The balance changed soon after the restart when Huijsen was ruled to have fouled Simeone in the penalty area. This time Ortiz Arias went to the pitchside screen and changed a yellow card to a dismissal, reducing Real to 10 players.

Grimaldo then beat Thibaut Courtois from the spot to put Atletico ahead. Simeone strengthened his midfield at half-time by bringing on Koke for the booked Pubill, while Marcos Llorente shifted to right-back and gave Atletico more freedom to use their creative players.

Atletico’s second goal followed as Giuliano delivered an inviting ball for Jonathan David, who finished from close range. The Canadian’s strike left Real facing a major task, with Jose Mourinho’s side unable to establish sustained attacking pressure.

Rudiger’s late header from Bernardo Silva’s free-kick reduced the deficit and briefly unsettled the home crowd. Yan Diomande then had an opportunity to restore Atletico’s two-goal cushion on the counter, but Jan Oblak produced an important save.

Real could not force another opening before the final whistle. The defeat adds pressure to Mourinho during his second spell at the Bernabeu, despite summer additions including Denzel Dumfries and Bellingham’s return to the side.

Questions are growing over Real’s lack of a settled style and the resilience expected from a Mourinho team. Atletico, meanwhile, head into the international break with a derby win that reflected Simeone’s adjustments and lifted them above Real in the table.