Atletico Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid: Alvaro Morata at the double as Diego Simeone claims derby spoils
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Updated 24/09/2023 at 23:02 GMT
Atletico Madrid claimed capital bragging rights with a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in La Liga. Alvaro Morata grabbed a brace and Antoine Griezmann scored the other as Real's 100% start to the season came to a shuddering halt. Toni Kroos struck for the visitors, but it was a rare highlight on an otherwise difficult night for Real. It means Barcelona stay top on 16 points, one ahead of Real.
Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid celebrates
Image credit: Getty Images
Alvaro Morata scored twice as Atletico Madrid downed Real Madrid to win the first capital city derby of the season.
Atleti got off to a perfect start when Samuel Lino's inswinging cross from the left flank was flicked home by Morata's header in the fourth minute.
The lead was then extended when Antoine Griezmann jumped backwards to steer home Saul Niguez's cross home.
Real had a lot of possession but mainly threatened through long-range shots and one of these from Toni Kroos was impossible for Jan Oblak to keep out as he dived in vain to his right side.
The visitors were the better side going into half-time but a minute after the restart Atleti were back in front when Saul's perfect cross was nodded home by Morata for their third headed goal of the day.
The closest Real came to reducing the scoreline were through Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger while Mario Hermoso saw a header flick off the crossbar at the other end of the pitch.
The result leaves Real Madrid third in the table, while Diego Simeone's side rise to fifth.
Talking point - Bellingham brought down to earth
He was not awful by any means, Luka Modric was far less impactful, but such is the expectation for the Stourbridge-born midfielder that an average game on this big stage was notable in itself. He was not helped by the system played by Carlo Ancelotti, with Rodrygo up front on his own not providing a focal point for him to play off.
Also, Diego Simeone, who has some previous frustrating English stars, undoubtedly ensured his side did not allow him any freedom at all in the Atletico third of the field. His frustration was shown with a lunging foul on Correa in injury time which saw him pick up a booking.
Bellingham will surely have many derbies and El Classicos to remember during his stay in Madrid. This will not be one of them.
Player of the match - Saul Niguez (Atletico)
It is hard to believe he has had a better match than this in his career. Amidst a galaxy of stars he shone brighter than any. He linked superbly with the also fabulous Lino down the left flank and provided two fine crosses for Atleti goals, with the second an absolute peach which Morata could not miss.
In addition he was hurrying and dispossessing Real Madrid players in possession and protected the ball superbly when Atletico got the ball on the break.
Player ratings
Atletico: Oblak 7; Molina 7, Savic 7, Hermoso 7, Gimenez 7, Samuel Lino 8; Marcos Llorente 7, Koke 7, Saul 9; Morata 8, Griezmann 8.
Subs: Witsel 6, Azpilicueta 6, Depay 6, Correa 6, Galan 6.
Real Madrid: Kepa 6; Lucas Vazquez 6, Rudiger 5, Alaba 6, Fran García 5; Kroos 7, Camavinga 6, Modric 5, Valverde 6; Bellingham 6; Rodrygo 6.
Subs: Joselu 6, Nacho 6, Tchouameni 7, Mendy 6, Diaz 7.
Match highlights
4' GOAL FOR ATLETI! A fantastic cross from Lino on the left wing, curling in a ball with his right foot which Morata meets with a header which powers low into the net.
18' GOAL FOR ATLETICO! Griezmann with a superb header from Saul's cross. He had to backpedal and stretch his neck, but managed to steer a header into the corner leading the Real stopper with no chance.
35' GOAL FOR REAL! Kroos with a bullet from 20 yards out which Oblak has no chance saving, diving in vain to his right.
45' BALL IN ATLETI NET! Alaba hits a ball against the post and it rebounds for Camavinga to turn in from close range but Rudiger was in an offside position when the ball from Bellingham went into the box. Controversial but the ball narrowly went over Rudiger's head.
46' GOAL FOR ATLETI! An even better start than they had in the first half. This time it took less than a minute for Saul to clip a perfect cross from the left which found Morata to score his second header of the day.
54' OFF THE BAR! Griezmann's corner is met by Hermoso whose looping header flicks the bar.
64' RODRYGO WITH ANOTHER EFFORT BLOCKED! This time by Savic and then the ball drops to Tchouameni on the edge of the area and he rockets a low drive just a yard wide of the post.
70' RUDIGER WITH A HOWITZER FROM LONG RANGE! He should not have been shooting from there but it only flew a yard or so wide and I'm not sure Oblak had it covered.
Key Stat
- 2 - Only the second Atleti victory in the last 16 Madrid derbies in la Liga.
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