Real Madrid lead Atlético Madrid 2-1 on aggregate after a tense UEFA Champions League last-16 match at the Santiago Bernabéu, ending Diego Simeone’s side’s 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Real were the team pushing for a breakthrough against Atlético’s well-organised defence, and they did so in style after just four minutes. Rodrygo scored with a powerful left-footed shot, following a pass from Federico Valverde, who was making his 300th appearance for the club. Rodrygo made a smart run from the right, cut inside the box, and fired past Jan Oblak.
Atlético needed to take more risks, and Giuliano Simeone missed a good chance, firing wide from close range. The visitors responded well, with Simeone charging past Brahim Díaz and crossing the ball in front of goal, but Valverde cleared it away. Atlético soon equalised when Julián Alvarez powered through Eduardo Camavinga and finished with a superb right-foot strike that hit the post and went in, arguably a better goal than Rodrygo’s opener.
Simeone’s side kept pressing after the break, but Ferland Mendy blocked an effort from Rodrigo De Paul following a cross from Alvarez. However, it was Real who scored again, with Díaz finishing off a well-worked move down the left involving Mendy and Vinícius Júnior. Díaz weaved into the box and calmly finished past Oblak.
After the goal, Real regained control, playing with confidence while Atlético struggled to break out of their half. There were few more chances, leaving the tie finely balanced for the second leg in a week’s time. This result ended Atlético’s run of five consecutive UCL wins and left them with just three wins from 11 meetings with Real in European competitions. However, they still have a chance to turn things around in the second leg. Real, meanwhile, are in a strong position, having lost just one of their last 18 European knockout matches.
