Real Madrid edged out their city rivals Atletico Madrid in a thrilling encounter on Sunday night, claiming a hard-fought 3-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The hosts were inspired by a brilliant brace from Vinícius Junior, alongside a crucial strike from Federico Valverde, which ultimately secured all three points in a tense derby clash.
In goal, Andriy Lunin delivered a solid performance, earning a rating of 7. Despite conceding twice, he remained alert throughout the match and made several important saves when called upon.
While he couldn’t prevent Atletico’s goals, he did everything expected of him and helped keep Madrid in control during key moments.
Dani Carvajal endured a difficult outing, finishing with a 6. The experienced defender was fortunate to escape conceding a penalty early in the game after a challenge on Marcos Llorente.
That moment seemed to reflect his overall struggle, as he found it tough to fully contain Atletico’s attacking threat on his side.
Antonio Rudiger had a relatively steady game, rated 6.5. With Atletico offering limited danger through the center, he managed to deal comfortably with most situations that came his way. Alongside him, Dean Huijsen showed encouraging signs as he continues to regain top form. Rated 7, he was largely dominant but could have done better in dealing with the build-up to Atletico’s first goal.
Fran Garcia, however, found things more challenging on the left flank. Up against the energetic combination of Llorente and Giuliano Simeone, he struggled defensively and was given a rating of 6.
In midfield, Federico Valverde once again proved his importance. Rated 7, he not only scored but remained a driving force throughout the game. However, his performance took a negative turn after he received a red card for a late challenge, putting his team under pressure in the closing stages. Aurelien Tchouameni also impressed with a rating of 7, playing a key role in neutralizing Atletico’s central attacks and maintaining control in midfield.
Thiago Pitarch contributed plenty of energy and effort before being substituted in the second half, earning a 6.5. Arda Guler also showed promise with a similar rating, putting in a solid display as he looks to secure his place in the squad despite increased competition. Brahim Diaz had a positive impact as well, winning the penalty that led to Madrid’s first goal and justifying his inclusion in the starting lineup with an overall rating of 7.
The standout performer of the night was undoubtedly Vinícius Junior, who earned an impressive 8.5 rating. He was decisive when it mattered most, converting a penalty to level the score and later scoring the winning goal. His influence continues to be crucial, and Madrid would be in a far less favorable position without his contributions.
Off the bench, Trent Alexander-Arnold made an immediate impact by assisting the winning goal, earning a 6.5. Kylian Mbappe looked lively in his cameo, while Eduardo Camavinga added energy and work rate in midfield. Jude Bellingham marked his return after nearly two months out, helping the team see out the result. Alvaro Carreras came on late to provide defensive cover following Valverde’s dismissal.
Overall, it was a dramatic and closely contested derby, with Real Madrid showing resilience and quality to come out on top.
