Vinicius strikes twice as 10-man Real Madrid edge Atletico 3-2 in pulsating derby
The Madrid derby rarely disappoints, and the 232nd meeting between these two produced five goals, a red card and enough drama to fill a season.
Lookman strikes first before Vinicius responds
Atletico took the lead through Ademola Lookman in the 33rd minute, and for the first 45 minutes Diego Simeone's team looked the more dangerous side. Real Madrid went in at half-time trailing but came out transformed.
Vinicius equalised from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute, sending Juan Musso the wrong way. Three minutes later, Federico Valverde fired Real Madrid ahead to make it 2-1.
Molina levels before Vinicius settles it
Nahuel Molina dragged Atletico level in the 66th minute with a powerful strike that gave Andriy Lunin no chance. But the hosts were not finished. In the 72nd minute, Vinicius cut in from the left, dribbled past two defenders and curled an unstoppable shot inside the far post. It was a goal worthy of winning any match, let alone a derby.
It also ended a peculiar run. Before Sunday, Vinicius had gone 12 league derbies without scoring against Atletico. That drought is well and truly over.
Valverde sees red as Real hold on
The final 13 minutes were nervy. Valverde received a straight red card in the 77th minute for a challenge on Alex Baena, leaving Real to see out the win with 10 men. They managed it, though Atletico threw everything at them in search of another equaliser.
The win keeps Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 earlier in the day through a Ronald Araujo header. With nine rounds remaining in La Liga, the title race is still alive.
