Saturday's long-awaited Madrid derby pitted Real Madrid against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu.
It was the away side that took the lead after 11 minutes when Diego Costa stroked his effort into the bottom corner from inside the box, with that strike all that separated the two sides at the interval.
Both sides had opportunities in the second period, but Atletico held on to secure a vital three points and continue their 100% start to the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Atletico Madrid. Both sides enter the match in fine form with Real picking up five wins from their six matches this season, while Atletico have taken 18 points from a possible 18 following a confident start to the season.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Atletico. Real Madrid have won four of the last five matches, including both league fixtures last season. That said, Atletico were winners the last time they travelled to this stadium in the final of the Copa del Rey towards the end of last season.
Both sides were 2-1 winners in midweek with Atletico overcoming Osasuna and Real Madrid overcoming Elche. However, there was controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s win over the newly-promoted outfit with a debatable 96th-minute penalty being handed to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Of course, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched to secure all the points.
TEAMS:
REAL MADRID XI: Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Illarramendi, Khedira, Isco; Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema
ATLETICO MADRID XI: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Koke, Gabi, Tiago; Turan, Villa, Costa
So there we have it. Illarramendi comes into the Madrid XI this evening, but Gareth Bale is only fit enough for a spot on the bench alongside Luka Modric. Atletico, meanwhile, select Tiago in a three-man midfield alongside Koke and the skipper Gabi. Right, the home side get the action underway on this tense evening in the Spanish capital.
It may only be week seven, but Atletico lead Real in the table at this stage of the season. Bright start from the home side as Carlo Ancelotti's team immediately take control of the possession, but the first free kick is awarded to Atletico as Coentrao handles down the left. Let's hope that this match lives up to all the pre-match hype.
Good pressure from Madrid in and around the Atletico box as an effort from Di Maria falls to Ronaldo, the Portuguese sets it for Isco, but Godin is on hand to make the challenge. Incredible intensity in the opening four minutes, but Atletico are on the back foot. As the home side, it is up to Real Madrid to force the issue in the early stages.
Atletico enjoy their first real spell of possession in midfield with Tiago and Gabi exchanging passes in the middle of the park. Eventually it goes long to Costa, but Pepe manages to clear the danger. Real Madrid attempt to break down the other end with Di Maria, but Juanfran is on hand to make the challenge. Incredible tempo to the Madrid derby with six minutes on the clock.
Interesting battle developing between Costa and Pepe as the Brazilian striker dives into a challenge with Pepe after losing possession. Not much of a surprise there! The Portuguese centre-back will know he is in a game this evening. Fairly cagey affair at the moment with neither team prepared to open up too early. I shouldn't think that there will be too many goals in this capital affair.
Real Madrid have not been beaten in the league at the Bernabeu since December 2011. What a marker Atletico could put down by breaking that record this evening. The home side continue to dominate possession in the Atletico half, but they have been unable to find space in the final third thus far. Fascinating tactical battle between these two Spanish rivals.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Costa)
Atletico take the lead in the Bernabeu! It's poor from Di Maria as the Argentine has his pocket picked outside the box, Koke collects before feeding Costa, who strokes his effort into the bottom corner. Stunning goal from Atletico. What a moment for Diego Simeone's side.
You cannot help but be impressed by Atletico this season. Everything about them has been right on the money. It is the away supporters that are making the noise at the moment with their team in the lead. Real Madrid attempt to force the issue as Khedira looks for the run of Ronaldo, but Godin is across to make a fine challenge.
Atletico pile on the pressure moments later as Koke delivers a dangerous corner into the box, but Lopez just manages to clear at the vital moment. Real Madrid are down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but his cross is cleared by Miranda. First sign of frustration from the home supporters, who really need to say with their team this evening.
Slightly untidy couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from both players. It is early, but you just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital. Luis threatens behind the Real Madrid defence moments later, but the flag is raised for offside against the Brazilian defender.
Good possession for the home side in the last couple of minutes as they work the ball from left to right, but it breaks down when Arbeloa loses control at the vital moment, which brings groans from the home supporters. Atletico are not giving their opponents a moment to settle at the moment with the likes of Koke and Gabi putting the pressure on in midfield.
It's good work down the right for Atletico as Juanfran combines with Turan before driving a low cross into the box, but Lopez is on hand to make the save at the vital moment. Real Madrid are down the other end with Benzema moments later, the Frenchman finds Ronaldo, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Still 1-0 with 23 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.
CHANCE! Real Madrid's first real chance of the match falls to Benzema as the Frenchman's header seems destined for the bottom corner, but Courtois is across to make a fine save. The resulting corner is headed by Ramos, but Gabi is on hand to make the block. Good couple of minutes for the home side.
Real Madrid want a penalty as the ball appears to strike the arm of Tiago inside the box, but replays show that the Portuguese used his chest to block Ronaldo's effort. Another free kick arrives for the home side moments later, which is delivered by Di Maria, but Costa is on hand to perform his defensive work. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the first period.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Benzema meets a fine cross from Di Maria, but he can only plant his header wide of the post. The Frenchman should have done better from that angle. Just a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to up the tempo, which needed to happen with Atletico comfortable in repelling the danger.
CHANCE! Oh my good grief Tiago just has to score. The Atletico midfielder arrives unmarked inside the Real Madrid box, but he can only plant his header over the crossbar. He just had to score from that position. Chances at both ends as the intensity continues to grow.
Interesting challenge from Coentrao as the Portuguese defender seems to pick up Turan before rolling him over his back, but the referee takes no action, with both players seeing the funny side, which is good to see. Real Madrid continue to deliver crosses into the Atletico box, but Godin and Miranda have been dominant in the air thus far. Still 1-0 to the away side with 33 minutes on the clock.
Costa continues to upset the Real Madrid defence as he clashes with Arbeloa, which brings the referee to have a word with the Brazilian striker. In truth, it has not really been a feisty affair thus far, but with Costa around, there is a chance it will explode. Whistles inside the stadium as Costa limps off. Where has this first period gone?! It has flown past in the Spanish capital.
Possession football from the home side as they attempt to find some space outside the Atletico box, but the away side are so well-marshalled. Di Maria whips a deep cross into the box moments later, bit Godin is on hand to make the challenge. A goal before the interval would certainly settle the home supporters.
It hasn't quite happened for Ronaldo thus far as the Portuguese loses possession inside the Atletico half, but Illarramendi is on hand to challenge Koke, who led the Atletico counter. Costa finds Turan inside the box moments later, but the Turkish international can only fire high and wide of the crossbar. Moments later, Turan picks up the first card of the match for a foul on Ronaldo.
Coentrao becomes the first Real Madrid player to enter the book for a handball outside the box. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Koke, but Pepe is on hand to clear with a powerful header. The pressure remains from a corner, but the home side manage to clear. Little over three minutes of normal time remaining in the first period.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Atletico to make it 2-0 as Costa meets a corner from Koke, but Lopez is on hand to make a fine save. It almost drops to Gabi, but Di Maria manages to scramble it clear. It is really hotting up at the moment as Lopez and Costa share some words moments later.
This is a proper derby there is no question about that as the temperature continues to rise. A half-chance arrives for Ronaldo in the latter stages of the half as he meets a cross from Di Maria, but he can only plant his header over the crossbar. Two additional minutes to be played at the end of the half.
Positive end to the half from the home side as they continue to enjoy possession in the Atletico half, but they just cannot find that final ball as a pass from Isco drifts out of play. What a half of football we have had. Atletico have been the better side there is no question about that.
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Atletico leading courtesy of a fine finish from Costa after 11 minutes. Real Madrid have had their moments, but Atletico will feel that they should be a couple of goals ahead at this stage of the match. What a stunning half of football in the Spanish capital.
STATISTICS: Real Madrid have had more of the possession with 64%, but they have had just five attempts - one of which has been on target - to Atletico's six. The referee has been forced to issue three yellow cards, but I expect that to rise in the second period. It is so delicately balanced ahead of the second 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH: A certain Gareth Bale is waiting in the wings for Real Madrid, while they also have the likes of Luka Modric and Alvaro Morata to call upon from the bench. Atletico, meanwhile, also have an impressive array of talent on the sidelines with Leo Baptistao, Raul Garcia and Cristian Rodriguez providing the attacking options. It is the type of match that could ultimately be won from the bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Atletico would move level on points (21) with Barcelona, and indeed move five points clear of Real. However, you have to expect a response from the home side in this half. Two changes for Real Madrid at the break with Bale and Modric replacing Illarramendi and Di Maria. Atletico get the half underway.
Villa is in trouble in the early stages of the second period as he is elbowed in the back of the head by Arbeloa, which forces the referee to stop the match, much to the frustration of the home supporters. It will be interesting to see how Bale fares in the second period. The Welshman is yet to have a touch on his home debut in the Bernabeu.
Bale is operating from the right for the home side with Ronaldo left and Benzema through the middle. Real Madrid continue to dominate the possession in the early stages of the second period, but they are still struggling to find that elusive pass. Costa picks up a yellow moments later for a high challenge on Ramos. Nervy moment as the referee appears to go to his pocket for another card, but Costa gets away with it.
Nervous defending from the home side as Godin slices behind his own crossbar, but he makes up for it with a fine header to clear the resulting corner. Real Madrid continue to pen Atletico into their own half, but they are not the first team to find it difficult to break Diego Simeone's team down. Explosive start to the second period.
Again it's fantastic work from Costa as the Brazilian collects a long pass from Gabi before moving into the Real Madrid box, but Pepe is across to make a fine challenge. Real Madrid are on the counter moments later with Ronaldo, but his pass towards Bale is into the arms of Courtois. Still 1-0 to the away side with 54 minutes on the clock.
It just isn't quite happening for Real Madrid at the moment as Modric loses possession before diving into a dangerous challenge with Gabi. The resulting free kick is played long towards Villa, but Lopez is out to collect. Ramos looks towards Bale moments later, but the Welshman is forced to look back with Atletico doubling up on the former Tottenham midfielder.
Ramos takes a ride on the back of Costa moments later as the Brazilian continues to battle with the entire Real Madrid defence. However, the resulting free kick is straight into the arms of Lopez. Bale attempts to counter moments later, but once more the Welshman is challenged by Luis. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges, with the referee forced to intervene. Atletico have a rare attack in the second period through Turan, but the Turkish international loses possession at the final moment.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Costa to add his second of the match as the Brazilian is played in by Villa, but Lopez is across to make a fine save. It falls to Villa moments later, but Ramos makes the challenge. Bale has possession down the other end moments later, but he is felled by Luis just outside the box.
The resulting free kick is taken by Ronaldo, but he fires his effort high and wide of the crossbar, much to the frustration of the home supporters. What a couple of moments, Atletico could and probably should have extended their lead. What a match this has been.
The referee is forced to intervene once more following a couple of late challenges in the Real Madrid half, but he refuses to issue unnecessary cards. Ronaldo has come alive in the last couple of moments as he dances into the box, but Godin closes the door. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining in the Bernabeu.
Costa really needs to be careful here as he jumps into the back of Ramos inside the Real Madrid half. Costa attempts to release Turan moments later, but Rams this time makes the challenge. Bale has an effort from outside the box moments later, but Courtois is on hand to make the save. Still Atletico lead with little more than 20 minutes remaining.
Good spell for the away side in the last couple of moments as they win a free kick outside the box from Ramos, who picks up a yellow card. A couple of low crosses come into the Real Madrid box, but the danger is cleared for a corner, which is collected by Lopez. You can just sense the nervousness inside the stadium at the moment.
It's good work from Bale as the Welshman drives past two players, but Godin is across on the cover to clear the danger. Ronaldo brings a save from Courtois moments later, eventually it falls for Modric outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Couple of nervous moments in defence for the away side, which has not been the case in the previous 72 or so minutes this evening.
Almost silence inside the stadium at the moment as Real Madrid attempt to pass their way through this Atletico defence, which continues to stand strong. Carlo Ancelotti looks to his bench for the third and final time moments later as Alvaro Morata is introduced in place of Isco, which is not a popular decision with the home supporters. Can Atletico hold on for what would be a famous win?
Morata has caused problems since entering the field there is no question about that as he drives past Miranda before delivering a low cross into the box, but the ball had just moved out of play at the final moment. Not too much from the Atletico Madrid attack in the last few minutes as they start to drop deeper. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid work the ball into the Atletico box after good work from Ronaldo and Modric, but it falls to a red and white shirt with Godin thumping it clear. Costa wins another free kick for his side moments later in a challenge with Ramos. Love him or loathe him, Costa has been just sensational this evening. Time is starting to run out for the home side in this Madrid derby.
CROSSBAR! Oh my word. Couple of golden chances for the away side as Costa is denied by Lopez inside the box. It falls to Koke, but he can only curl his effort onto the top of the crossbar. What a stunning attempt from the Atletico midfielder.
Whistles from the home supporters as Real Madrid lose possession twice in quick succession inside the Atletico half. It is a surprise that Diego Simeone has not looked to freshen up his side with a change as we approach the very final moments. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital.
CHANCE! Wonderful effort from Morata as the striker volleys an effort towards the bottom corner, but Courtois is on hand to make a fine save. It falls into the middle of the box, but Godin thumps it clear. Atletico make a change moments later as Costa is replaced by Leo - what a performance from Costa this evening.
It's good running from Leo as the Atletico sub bursts beyond the Real Madrid defence, but his cross is cut out by Modric. Atletico make another change moments later as Villa is replaced by Garcia, who will provide some fresh legs in the middle. Tiago strikes one from outside the box moments later, but it moves wide of the post.
Atletico make their third and final change of the evening as the experienced midfielder Rodriguez enters the field in place of Turan, who has been simply sensational. The fourth official will soon put his board up and reveal the number of additional minutes that will be played.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as it falls to Benzema inside the box, but Juanfran is across to make a fine challenge. It falls to Morata moments later, but Courtois is across to make a stunning save. We are into the second of three additional minutes. What a result this would be for Atletico.
FULL TIME: Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Costa's goal in the first period is enough to secure all three points for Atletico in the Bernabeu. A stunning victory for Diego Simeone's side. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to look out for our analysis, which will be live before the night is out. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
