Atlético de Madrid won the derby against Real Madrid (2-1) at the Metropolitano in a match that changed completely at the start of the second half. Giuliano Simeone was the main protagonist of the red and white victory, causing the penalty that opened the scoring and participating decisively in the second goal.
The match had taken place during a first half marked by tension, interruptions and a lack of chances. Atlético and Real Madrid barely managed to create any danger and went into the break with a 0-0 scoreline that reflected the poor show put on by both teams.
Everything changed in the 50th minute. David Hancko launched a long, diagonal pass that found the run of Giuliano Simeone. The Argentine won the back of Dean Huijsen and was knocked down by the center back as he entered the area. Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz initially indicated a yellow card, but after reviewing the action in the VAR he changed his decision and sent off the Madrid defender.
Grimaldo took responsibility from the penalty spot and made it 1-0 for Atlético de Madrid. The goal and the expulsion completely changed the scenario of the derby.
Real Madrid, led by Jose Mourinho, found no response and the red and white team took advantage of their superiority. In the 59th minute it was 2-0. Kang in Lee started the play and found Giuliano Simeone, who advanced from the right and placed a precise cross into the area. Jonathan David appeared to beat Rüdiger’s back and finish into the back of the net.
Giuliano was the differential figure of a match in which intensity, speed and the ability to compete ended up prevailing over the associative game. The Argentine once again demonstrated one of his main virtues: his ability to press, attack spaces and not give up any ball for lost.
Atlético had opportunities to definitively seal the match, especially after the entry of Julián Alvarez, but Real Madrid managed to maintain uncertainty until the end.
In the 90th minute, Antonio Rüdiger scored with a header to make it 2-1 and caused a few final minutes of suffering for Atlético. However, the team led by Diego Simeone resisted and secured a victory of enormous value against its rival from the capital.
Real Madrid once again showed problems generating football in a highly demanding match. Vinícius, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham had a very discreet participation, while Arda Güler also failed to find spaces to unbalance.
Atlético, on the other hand, found in Giuliano Simeone the energy they needed to break a derby that seemed doomed to a draw. A run, a penalty, an expulsion and an assist ended up completely changing the game.
