Atletico Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over 10-man Real Madrid in a La Liga derby clash on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The win leaves Jose Mourinho's side trailing leaders Barcelona by six points. Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half for Los Blancos, which proved to be a turning point in the game. Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David scored for Atletico, while Antonio Rudiger pulled one back late on for Real Madrid.
The game was marked by tension and a lack of footballing quality in the first half, with neither side capable of creating clear chances. An incident between Jude Bellingham and Atletico defender Cristian Romero sparked controversy, with Bellingham initially booked but the card later removed and issued to Romero after a VAR review. Real Madrid were also unhappy with a heavy tackle by Lee Kang-in on Federico Valverde that went unpunished just before half-time.
The match burst into life early in the second half when Huijsen pulled back Giuliano Simeone's arm as the forward ran through on goal, resulting in a penalty and Huijsen's dismissal. Grimaldo beat Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the penalty spot, giving Atletico the lead. Mourinho reacted by replacing Vinicius and Arda Guler with club record signing Yan Diomande and Rudiger.
Atletico struck again on 59 minutes, with Jonathan David tucking away Giuliano Simeone's raking low cross for his third goal in three matches. The hosts came close to getting a third, but Courtois made an excellent save to deny Julian Alvarez, and Ibrahima Konate reacted brilliantly to head Grimaldo's effort from the rebound off the line.
As the game wore on, Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved from Diomande, and Bellingham rowed with Giuliano Simeone as Madrid's frustrations showed. The visitors were impotent to change the course of the game, and their substitutions failed to make an impact.
Real Madrid pulled a goal back in the final stages with Rudiger heading Bernardo Silva's cross past Oblak, but it was too little too late for Mourinho's side. The win lifted Atletico to second in the table, five points behind Barcelona and one ahead of Real Madrid, who chalked up a second defeat of the campaign.
The result was a significant upset, given the star power on the pitch, particularly in Madrid's front line, with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Bellingham kept quiet by Atletico's defense. The win marked a statement victory for Diego Simeone's side, who have now taken seven points from their last three matches.
Key points
- Atletico Madrid's win leaves Real Madrid trailing leaders Barcelona by six points.
- Dean Huijsen's red card early in the second half proved to be a turning point in the game.
- The win lifted Atletico to second in the table, one point ahead of Real Madrid.
