Jose Mourinho's return to the Madrid derby after 12 years ended in disappointment at the Metropolitano, as Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2-1 to hand the visitors their second defeat of the season.

As expected from a derby, the match exploded into a fierce battle from the opening whistle, with frequent interruptions as the referee struggled to keep control of the physical contest. Atletico Madrid looked the more dangerous side, with Alex Baena, Giuliano Simeone and Jonathan David repeatedly testing the Real Madrid defence and Thibaut Courtois. The visitors' best moment came when Vinicius Junior fired a volley wide. The first half ended goalless.

The game changed dramatically shortly after the restart. Dean Huijsen lost track of Giuliano Simeone and then clearly pulled the Atletico forward back by the arm inside the penalty area. After a VAR review, the referee showed Huijsen a straight red card and awarded a penalty. Alex Grimaldo made no mistake from the spot, giving Atletico Madrid the lead.

Mourinho responded with a double substitution, bringing on Antonio Rudiger and Yan Diomande for Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior. But the changes failed to prevent another defensive collapse. On 59 minutes, Simeone delivered an excellent cross from the right, and Jonathan David threw himself at the ball to steer it past Courtois and double Atletico's advantage.

Real Madrid struggled to create any real attacking threat and could easily have conceded a third. Ibrahima Konate, however, produced a vital intervention, heading the ball off the line after Julian Alvarez had struck towards an empty net. Alvarez was once again greeted by whistles when he came onto the pitch, although the reaction appeared less intense than on previous occasions.

Just when the derby appeared to be heading towards a comfortable Atletico victory, Real Madrid revived the contest in the 89th minute. Antonio Rudiger rose highest to meet a set-piece delivery and headed the ball into the net, giving the visitors a late lifeline.

2026-27, Spain - La Liga

Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Grimaldo, 53 (penalty) (1:0); David J., 59 (2:0); Rudiger, 89 (2:1)

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Hancko; Romero C. (Le Normand, 89); Grimaldo; Pubill (Koke, 46); Cardoso Joao; Álex Baena (Lookman, 67); Llorente M.; Lee Kang-in (Hjulmand, 89); David J. (Álvarez Jul., 62); Simeone G-o
Substitution: Koke (from 46); Álvarez Jul. (from 62); Lookman (from 67); Le Normand (from 89); Hjulmand (from 89)
Bench: Musso; Martinez D.; Vargas Ob.; Domínguez J.; Ortiz Ar.; Mendoza R.
Yellow Cards: Pubill 35; Romero C. 39

Real: Courtois; Dumfries; Konate; Cucurella; Huijsen (till 52); Tchouaméni (Camavinga, 71); Güler A. (Rudiger, 54); Bellingham (Bernardo Silva, 82); Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior (Diomande Y., 54); Mbappé
Substitution: Rudiger (from 54); Diomande Y. (from 54); Camavinga (from 71); Bernardo Silva (from 82)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Alexander-Arnold; Asencio R.; Carreras; Pitarch; Diaz Br.; Endrick; Espi
Yellow Cards: Dumfries 49; Bellingham 78
Red cards: Huijsen 52'