The Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabéu exploded into life from the very first whistle, even without Kylian Mbappé in the squad. Real Madrid set the tone early, carving out two clear-cut chances — Juan Musso denied Dani Carvajal, while Federico Valverde rattled the post with a powerful effort.

Atlético Madrid responded immediately, and it took a sensational save from Andriy Lunin to keep the scores level, as the Ukrainian goalkeeper somehow kept out a point-blank strike from Marcos Llorente. Moments later, controversy struck when Dani Carvajal bundled into an Atlético player inside the box, but the officials waved play on.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute, as Ademola Lookman finished clinically after a sublime backheel assist from Giuliano Simeone, handing Atlético Madrid the advantage. However, the momentum swung dramatically after the break.

Vinícius Jr restored parity from the penalty spot following a foul on Brahim Díaz, before Federico Valverde capitalised on a costly mistake from José Giménez to put Real Madrid ahead.

What followed was pure derby chaos. Nahuel Molina unleashed a thunderous strike to level the score once again, only for Vinícius Jr to respond in style, grabbing his second goal of the night and restoring Real Madrid’s lead.

The closing stages turned into a test of resilience for the hosts. Federico Valverde saw red, leaving Real Madrid to defend with ten men. Under relentless pressure, Andriy Lunin and the Madrid backline stood firm, preserving a crucial and hard-fought victory.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real - Atletico Madrid 3:2 (0:1)
Goals: Lookman, 33 (0:1); Vinícius Júnior, 52 (penalty) (1:1); Valverde F., 55 (2:1); Molina N., 66 (2:2); Vinícius Júnior, 72 (3:2)

Real: Lunin Andriy; Carvajal (Alexander-Arnold, 64); García Fr.; Rudiger; Huijsen; Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Bellingham, 74); Diaz Br. (Camavinga, 74); Pitarch (Mbappé, 64); Valverde F. (till 77); Vinícius Júnior (Carreras, 87)
Substitution: Alexander-Arnold (from 64); Mbappé (from 64); Camavinga (from 74); Bellingham (from 74); Carreras (from 87)
Bench: Gonzalez Fran; Mestre; Alaba; Aguado D.; García G.; Moran; Mastantuono
Yellow Cards: Pitarch 63
Red cards: Valverde F. 77'

Atletico Madrid: Musso; Ruggeri; Hancko; Le Normand (Gimenez Jose, 46); Cardoso Joao (Gonzalez N., 57); Koke; Llorente M.; Griezmann (Sørloth, 57); Álvarez Jul.; Simeone G-o (Álex Baena, 71); Lookman (Molina N., 57)
Substitution: Gimenez Jose (from 46); Molina N. (from 57); Gonzalez N. (from 57); Sørloth (from 57); Álex Baena (from 71)
Bench: Esquivel S.; De Luis; Lenglet; Díaz J.; Vargas Ob.; Almada
Yellow Cards: Cardoso Joao 27; Ruggeri 36; Hancko 61; Llorente M. 68