The Derby Wears White! Chronicle of Real Madrid 3-2 Atlético de Madrid

FIRST HALF

Before the great derby began, the Santiago Bernabéu observed a minute of silence in memory of Silvino Louro.

In the 2nd minute of the match, the Whites had their first dangerous chance. After a great individual play by Vini Jr down the wing, he delivered an excellent pass to Brahim, who saw the captain unmarked. Carvajal finished first-time, but the Argentine goalkeeper was outstanding and made a great save to prevent the opening goal.

In the 8th minute, Madrid came close again to the opening goal. Valverde led a great transition on the right, got past the Atlético full-back with a magnificent self-pass, and upon entering the opponent’s area, took a very tight shot. However, the ball hit the post and Simeone’s team was saved once again. Shortly after, Atlético created their first chance and came close to scoring. After a good one-two between Griezmann and Marcos Llorente, the full-back entered the box and shot at Lunin, but the Ukrainian responded with a great intervention.

Minutes later, Valverde tried a free-kick from the edge of the area, but his powerful shot crashed into the Atlético wall, allowing Musso to catch the ball comfortably.

In the 33rd minute, Atlético took the lead on the scoreboard. After a defensive lapse from the white back line, Simeone’s side exploited the left wing and, following a good layoff from Giuliano, Nigerian Lookman found himself in the small box in front of Lunin and sealed the 0-1.

In the 41st minute, after a great cross from Carvajal, Tchouameni connected a powerful header, but the ball went just wide and Madrid missed another clear dangerous chance.

SECOND HALF

Right after the second half started, Simeone’s team made a halftime change: center back Le Normand was withdrawn and José María Giménez came on in his place. Madrid made no changes and the same eleven players took the field.

In the first five minutes, the referee pointed to a penalty in favor of Real Madrid after a mistimed tackle by David Hancko on Brahim. Munuera Montero did not hesitate to signal the spot kick. Vinícius Jr was the one to take it and, with a powerful and well-placed shot, beat Musso to put the derby at 1-1. Madrid didn’t settle and pushed for more: following a great recovery by Valverde, he faced the Argentine goalkeeper and, with a subtle finish using the outside of his foot, scored the 2-1. In barely three minutes, the Whites had turned the match around.

In the 66th minute, Atlético managed to equalize. Nahuel Molina, from long range, connected a powerful shot that ended in a goal, scoring one of the goals of the day. Just like the previous week against Getafe, the Argentine full-back scored a true screamer into the top corner.

In the 72nd minute, the Whites retook the lead. After a great play by Trent down the right, he precisely assisted Vinícius Jr, who with a placed shot from outside the area set the score at 3-2 on the scoreboard. Shortly after, Madrid was reduced to ten players following Valverde’s expulsion, who received a straight red card for a mistimed challenge on Álex Baena.

Later, Julián Álvarez came close to equalizing with a powerful shot from outside the box, but the ball hit the post and Madrid’s defense managed to clear the danger. Subsequently, Trent tried his luck with a lateral free kick, but Musso responded with a great intervention on the goal line.

GOALS

(0-1): Lookman (33’)

(1-1): Vini Jr penalty (52’)

(2-1): Federico Valverde (55’)

(2-2): Nahuel Molina (66’)

(3-2): Vini Jr (72’)

TECHNICAL REPORT

Competition: La Liga EA Sports - (Matchday 29)

Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026

Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu

Referee: Munuera Montero

LINEUPS

Real Madrid: (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Lunin

Defenders: Carvajal (replaced by Trent in 63’), Rüdiger, Huijsen, and Fran García

Midfielders: Valverde, Pitarch (replaced by Mbappé in 63’), Arda Güler (replaced by Bellingham in 74’), and Tchouaméni

Forwards: Vinícius Junior (replaced by Álvaro Carreras in 87’) and Brahim Díaz (replaced by Camavinga in 74’)

Coach: Álvaro Arbeloa

Atlético de Madrid: (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Musso

Defenders: Llorente, Le Normand (replaced by Giménez in 45’), Hancko, and Ruggeri

Midfielders: Lookman (replaced by Nico González in 57’), Johnny Cardoso (replaced by Nahuel Molina in 57’), Koke, and Giuliano (replaced by Álex Baena in 71’)

Forwards: Julián Álvarez and Griezmann (replaced by Sorloth in 57’)

Coach: Diego Simeone

BEST PLAYERS OF THE MATCH

221

Vinícius Júnior
19.170.000€-2.640.000€    7

J1

DL

511

92

Nahuel Molina
2.000.000€-190.000€    5

J1

DF

12

35

Lookman
16.820.000€-1.550.000€    -

J1

DL

02

139

Giuliano Simeone
7.270.000€-830.000€    -

J1

MD

63