The first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid was a night of intense action.
Real Madrid took a narrow 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, setting up an exciting second leg.
Early Drama Sets the Pace
The game kicked off with high energy as Real Madrid wasted no time making their mark.
Rodrygo opened the scoring in the fourth minute, showcasing his speed and skill.
Sprinting past Javi Galan, he cut inside the box and curled a beautiful shot past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The Bernabeu erupted in celebration as the home side gained an early advantage.
Atletico, however, were not going down without a fight.
The visitors grew into the game and found their equalizer in the 32nd minute. Julian Alvarez, in red-hot form, stunned the crowd with a fantastic curling effort.
He tricked Eduardo Camavinga with a quick move and sent the ball past Thibaut Courtois, striking the post before bouncing in.
The Argentine’s seventh goal in nine Champions League games this season proved why he is Atletico’s main man.
Brahim Diaz Steals the Show
With the match finely balanced, Real Madrid needed a hero.
In the 55th minute, Brahim Diaz stepped up. The Spanish midfielder danced past Atletico defender Jose Gimenez with ease before driving a powerful shot into the far corner.
His incredible finish restored Madrid’s lead and sent the home fans into a frenzy.
Diaz was filling in for the suspended Jude Bellingham, who had to sit out due to accumulated yellow cards.
The absence of the England international did not affect Madrid’s attacking strength as Diaz played a key role in driving the team forward.
Late Misses Leave Tie Open
Real Madrid had a golden chance to widen their lead in stoppage time.
Kylian Mbappe, usually known for his precision, failed to find Vinicius Jr in a crucial moment.
Jose Maria Gimenez then made a brilliant block to deny the Brazilian a sure goal. The missed opportunity left Madrid with only a one-goal advantage heading into the return leg.
Atletico also had their moments but found it tough to break through Madrid’s solid defense.
Federico Valverde, playing at right-back due to injuries, was crucial in stopping Atletico’s late attacks.
The visitors will take confidence in their ability to compete, knowing that a home win in the second leg can change everything.
What’s Next?
The battle is far from over. The second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium will be a fierce contest as Atletico Madrid looks to overturn the deficit.
The winners of this thrilling Madrid derby are likely to face Arsenal in the quarter-finals, with the Gunners destroying PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in their own tie.
The stakes are high, and both teams will be desperate to advance. Will Real Madrid hold onto their advantage, or will Atletico Madrid mount a stunning comeback at home?
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