Real Madrid have continued their impressive record against Atletico Madrid with a 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu.
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The contest started in a predictably tight fashion but it was a moment of brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo that saw the deadlock broken in the Spanish capital.
Real were awarded a free-kick 25 yards away from goal and Ronaldo lit up the Bernabeu with a fantastic strike to give his side the lead.
Regular fouls disrupted the flow of the game, meaning neither side could create many clear chances before the break.
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Falcao struggled to make an impact in the first period but he came alive after the interval, narrowly missing the target with a low drive from just outside the area.
A neat interchange between Mesut Ozil and Ronaldo on the edge of the area almost provided a goal but the latter fired his shot wide of the target while under pressure from a couple of Atletico defenders.
Ronaldo once again threatened from a set piece on the hour mark but his low free-kick was well pushed away by Courtois.
Madrid's lead was doubled midway through the second half when Ronaldo found Ozil, who stayed onside to drill the ball through the legs of Courtois while in plenty of space inside the area.
Courtois had to be alert to keep out substitute Jose Callejon's low drive as the hosts threatened to add to their tally of goals.
The Real fans stood up for another Ronaldo free-kick but this time the Portuguese forward was left frustrated after rattling the crossbar with a superb effort.
Ronaldo hit the woodwork once again before the final whistle, beating Courtois but only striking the post from close range as Real cruised to victory.
Callum Mulvihill
