Real Madrid welcomed capital rivals Atletico Madrid to the Bernabeu on Saturday looking to close the gap on Barcelona at the top of the table.
A scrappy opening half produced one piece of brilliance as Cristiano Ronaldo struck a wonderful free kick into the back of the net with 16 minutes on the clock.
The second period also remained largely uneventful until Mesut Ozil scored Madrid's second with 66 minutes on the clock.
Atletico continued to struggle in the latter stages of the match and it remained a two-goal margin with the away side suffering just their second league defeat of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! This match is just something a little bit special. It's third against second respectively as Real welcome Atletico in the Madrid derby. It always had spice, but the fact Atletico sit eight points above Real has added an extra dimension.
Teams:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso, Ozil; Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Godin, Diaz, Juanfran, Miranda; Suarez, Koke, Turan, Gabi, Falcao, Costa
Despite Madrid's position in the table, they have been exceptional at home. They have won all five home league games by at least two goals since drawing 1-1 with Valencia on the opening day, conceding just two goals in the process.
Tonight also pits two of the world's best players with Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao both in action this evening. The former has scored 13 goals in 13 league appearances this season, while Falcao has 12 in 12. Let's hope that we see the best of these two stars tonight.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate home crowd? Check. Let's get this Madrid derby underway. Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the night's events. You will certainly not want to miss it.
Here we go then. Real Madrid get us underway on this mild evening in Spain. First major test for Atletico as they travel to their bitter rivals. What a 90 minutes of football we have ahead of us. My prediction is a 3-1 win for Real.
Both sets of supporters are in good voice in the early stages of this match. Jose Mourinho is already making notes on the sideline despite just three minutes of football. It has been highly charged thus far with Madrid enjoying the possession.
It's really bright work from Diego Costa as the powerful striker picks up possession before driving at the Real defence and he is chopped down in the process. Gabi takes the free kick short to Arda Turan, but the Turkish international is ruled offside and play is resumed with Iker Casillas.
It is 23 league and cup matches since Real lost to Atletico. But this is a different Atletico side to previous seasons. They will not come here and attempt to sit in and defend. Not with the likes of Falcao and Costa in their ranks. But you do get the feeling that the first goal will be all-important.
Atletico have just started to look the sharper side with Falcao causing all sorts of problems with his physical presence. The striker wins a corner off Ramos, but Mario Suarez's set piece is headed away by Pepe and the home side launch a counter attack of their own.
Nothing much from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the opening 11 minutes of football thus far. Atletico have come here to play and Falcao has already had a couple of decent moments. Real attempt to launch an attack through Angel di Maria, but the danger is quelled.
Real have just taken control of the possession in the past few moments with Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira enjoying plenty of the ball in midfield. However, a loose pass from Mesut Ozil almost allows Falcao in on goal, but Alvaro Arbeloa makes a vital challenge.
Again it's really smart work from the away side as Costa beats Pepe before whipping a low cross into the penalty area, but Casillas gets down low to clear the danger for a corner. You cannot even imagine the reaction if Real get beat in this match.
First yellow card of the match is handed to Turan as the Turkish intentional handles outside the penalty area. Ronaldo - guess who? - will take the resulting free kick...
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Ronaldo)
Take a bow Ronaldo. Take a bow. Simply sensational from the Portuguese as he thumps the free kick into the top corner. Courtois got nowhere near it. Just when his team needed him most.
Atletico may be ahead of Real in the league. But a team that boosts Ronaldo always has a chance at any give moment. The goal has certainly raised the home side and now they are attempting to press and raise the tempo.
Atletico have just become frustrated in the past few moments and have given away a host of free kicks as a result. Costa continues to get involved with the Real defence as he appears to move his head towards Ramos, but the referee is not interested. What are the odds on Costa seeing red before the opening half is out?
It has been simply all Real Madrid since they opened the scoring after 16 minutes. Di Maria and Ozil have both been more involved, but Atletico are defending deep and it leaving no room behind to exploit. You sense that they will keep it tight and attempt to force one on the counter.
The first yellow card for the home side is handed to Khedira as the German international fells Turan on the edge of the penalty area. However, the free kick from the Turkish international is poor and headed clear by Ronaldo.
Real immediately attack down the other end as Fabio Coentrao forces a corner from Miranda. However, the away side deal with the threat as Koke hooks the danger clear. But it will come back with interest from Jose Mourinho's side.
Half-chance for Real once more as Ronaldo finds Ramos on the edge of the penalty area, but the Spanish defender cannot make proper contact and his effort moved behind for a goal kick. Only in Spain could a central defender make a run into the opposing penalty area at 1-0. That is why we love it.
Not a great deal to report in terms of attacking intent in the past few moments. Real continue to have the best of the possession, but Benzema's strike from long range is blocked by Cata Diaz. Atletico continue to defend well but their attacking threat has disappeared.
Real continue to look the more likely as Ronaldo drives past Juanfran before whipping a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Benzema cannot make contact and the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, Costa remains in danger of losing his head for the away side. Watch this space.
Falcao continues to struggle to influence the match as he is dispossessed by Ramos as he attempts to jig into the penalty area. Real advance immediately down the other end, but Ronaldo's effort from outside the box is gathered by Courtois.
Another half-chance comes the way of the home side as Di Maria whips a high cross into the penalty area. Benzema makes contact, but the Frenchman is penalised for a push and play is resumed with the Atletico goalkeeper. The home side are well on top here.
To be honest it is a slightly scrappy affair at the moment. There is no real flow to the match with both sides giving away a host of free kicks. Real look the side more likely to score, but the only piece of quality has come from Ronaldo after 16 minutes.
Slight controversy here as Falcao hits the deck in a heap as Ramos appears to throw his arm at the Colombian striker. But there was nothing much in it and the referee takes no action. Maybe Falcao could have a career in acting when he retires from playing football. But Ramos is hardly adverse to those actions!
First real spell of attacking pressure from Atletico as Falcao combines with Koke before finding Gabi. The skipper attempts to release a shot but he is quickly closed down and the danger is quelled. Madrid launch an attack of their own, but Atletico clear the danger. Little over three minutes of the half remaining.
Again it's decent work from the away side as Falcao finds Gabi on the edge of the penalty area once more, but the Atletico captain can only strike straight at Casillas. Meanwhile, another late challenge on Ronaldo from Suarez draws more noise from the crowd.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of added time at the end of the half.
Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. A piece of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo has handed Real Madrid a 1-0 lead at the interval. In truth it has been a match of few chances with both sides struggling for any real flow.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 67% of the ball, but they have managed just three attempts at goal. Atletico have had two attempts on target, but neither came close to threatening Casillas's clean sheet.
As it stands Real Madrid would move five points behind second-placed Atletico and 11 points behind leaders Barcelona. It seems incredible that they are in that position after 14 matches. A win this evening is a must, while Atletico can afford to lose this match and still be in a very strong position.
In terms of the battle between Ronaldo and Falcao, the former has certainly been on top thus far. It has been Ronaldo's work-rate that has also impressed in the opening period, while it has been a half to forget for the Colombian. Let's hope that the overall standard of football is raised in the second 45 minutes.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the break. Will Atletico attempt to push forward? Or will they sit in and hope to grab something on the counter? Stay with us and we will soon find out.
Atletico get us underway in the second period. We are still waiting for the match to really spring into life. Let's hope that is the case in this second half. I wonder how long it will take until either manager makes a change.
Strong start from Real as Ronaldo forces a corner from Miranda. Ozil whips the set piece into the penalty area, but after some desperate defending the danger is cleared. Atletico launch an attack of their own on the counter, but Falcao cannot keep possession.
A dangerous free kick from Alonso threatens to bring Real's second goal of the evening. But Miranda stoops low to clear the danger. Another low cross is fired into the penalty area by Di Maria, but Ozil is beaten to the ball by Courtois. Lively opening to this half from the home side.
First real involvement for Falcao as the Colombian picks up possession on the edge of the area, but he can only fire wide of the target. He turns provider moments later for Costa and the Brazilian wins a free kick outside the box.
The free kick is whipped into the penalty area by Koke, but Suarez is penalised for a foul on Ramos. Meanwhile, Costa continues to lose his rag as he attempts to elbow Ramos. Surely the Brazilian is walking a very fine line here. It would not surprise me if he was replaced in the coming minutes.
It's a shame that this match has so far been dominated by free kicks and petulance rather than great football. There is certainly a danger of someone seeing red in the latter stages of this match. Ronaldo shows us the good side of the game as he strikes from outside the box, but his effort is just wide of the target.
Again it's smart work from the home side as Ronaldo links with Benzema outside the penalty area, but Diego Godin clears the danger behind for corner. The set piece is delivered by Ozil, but Pepe is adjudged to have fouled Miranda and play is resumed by Courtois.
Ronaldo remains the catalyst for the home side as he wins another free kick from Juanfran, who picks up a yellow card for his troubles. The Portuguese really has been the bright spark in this match. Not just because of his goal. But his overall work-rate has been of the highest order.
Ronaldo strikes his free kick low towards the bottom corner, but Courtois was alert to the danger to palm it away. Surely Diego Simeone will be considering introducing Adrian in the next few minutes. The game is crying out for a change.
The attacking threat from the away side remains minimal with Falcao struggling for service. Turan has been disappointing in the second period, while Koke has not influenced the match in any shape or form. But the longer it remains at 1-0 the longer they have a chance.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid (Ozil)
Real have their second of the evening as Ronaldo finds Ozil in the penalty area and the German sorts out his feet before thumping his effort into the back of the net.
Atletico have not been interested in attacking in this second period and it has cost them. You just wanted them to come out and have a go at a wobbly Real defence, but it never materialised. Real lead 2-0 with little over 20 minutes remaining.
Real are ever so comfortable at the moment as they dominate possession in midfield. Meanwhile, the home side make the first change of the evening as Di Maria is replaced by Jose Callejon. It has been another disappointing night for the Argentine winger.
The confidence is just flowing through the home side at the moment with Ronaldo at the heart of their attacking threat. He finds the run of Benzema in the penalty area, but Miranda comes across to clear the danger. Atletico have been really disappointing this evening.
Half-chance for Real once more as Callejon dances into the penalty area before striking towards goal, but Courtois was alert to the danger and gathered. Meanwhile, Atletico are preparing a couple of changes.
Two changes for the away side as Gabi and Koke are replaced by Tiago and Adrian. But you have to question why the changes were not made earlier in the match. Bar an incredible turnaround this match is over as a contest. But one goal for the away side does change everything.
It's wonderful feet from Benzema on the edge of the penalty area as he turns Miranda before driving towards goal, but the Atletico defender fouls the Frenchman just outside the box. I suspect that a certain Portuguese international will take the free kick.
CROSSBAR! Ronaldo does indeed take the free kick, but his effort thumps off the crossbar. It was a splendid effort from the best player on the pitch. He has been so impressive this evening.
Third and final change for the away side as Turan is replaced by Raul Garcia. Atletico force a corner down the left, but Arbeloa is on hand to clear the danger. Another set piece is whipped into the danger zone, but once more it is cleared and Real launch an attack of their own.
POST! Sensational football from the home side as Ozil fires a low cross into the penalty area towards Ronaldo. The striker hits it first time but his effort thumps against the post. He should have had a hat trick this evening.
Real go in search of their third as Ozil attempts to find the run of Ronaldo, but the Portuguese cannot collect and Juanfran clears the danger. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and the home side are so comfortable it isn't true.
Decent period of possession for the away side as they exchange passes in midfield. But there is nothing left for them in this match and they know it. They have never really got going this evening. Meanwhile, Falcao's name is taken for a foul on Callejon.
Possession football from the home side at the moment as they tease Atletico with passes back to front. Real have been the better side this evening and they deserve the three points.
Meanwhile, second change of the match for the home side as Ozil is replaced by Luka Modric. Not a bad substitute to bring on I suppose. Just the likes of Kaka on the bench. A player that would walk into 18 teams in La Liga.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the match. Real have possession with Ronaldo.
Half-chance for the home side to add a third in the final stages as Ronaldo looks for the run of Benzema, but Miranda steps out to clear the danger. Little under a minute remaining and Madrid make their third change as Benzema is replaced by Jose Rodriguez.
Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Goals from Ronaldo and Ozil secure the three points for Real as they move five points behind Atletico in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more Spanish football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
