Atletico Madrid edged 10-man Real Madrid 2-1 in a La Liga derby clash on Sunday to leave Jose Mourinho’s side trailing leaders Barcelona by six points, according to theScore. The game hinged on Dean Huijsen’s red card early in the second half, for pulling down Giuliano Simeone in the box which led to a penalty, tucked away by Alejandro Grimaldo to set Atletico on their way.

Key Incidents and Red Card

The England international Jude Bellingham threw himself into a tackle, and Cristian Romero trod on his leg, with Bellingham booked initially — After a VAR review, however, the referee removed the card and issued it to the Atletico man, according to Al Jazeera. Madrid were also unhappy with a heavy tackle by Lee Kang-in on Federico Valverde that went unpunished just before half-time.

It was a scrappy battle, intense but lacking excitement compared to the star power on the pitch, especially in Madrid’s front line, with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Bellingham kept quiet. The game burst into life early in the second half when Huijsen pulled back Simeone’s arm as the forward ran through on goal and Atletico were awarded a penalty. Huijsen was dismissed after a VAR review, and Grimaldo beat Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the penalty spot.

Goals and Tactical Adjustments

Mourinho reacted immediately by replacing the underwhelming Vinicius and Arda Guler and sending on club record signing Yan Diomande and Rudiger. It was Atletico who struck next, with Canada international Jonathan David tucking away Simeone’s raking low cross on 59 minutes for his third goal in three matches. The hosts came close to getting a third, but Courtois made an excellent save to deny Julian Alvarez, and Ibrahima Konate reacted brilliantly to head Grimaldo’s effort from the rebound off the line.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved from Diomande, and Bellingham rowed with Simeone as Madrid’s frustrations showed, with the team impotent to change the course of the game. Madrid pulled a goal back in the final stages, with Rudiger heading Bernardo Silva’s cross past Oblak; However, it was too little too late for Mourinho’s side.

League Implications and Performance

Atletico rose to second, five points behind Barca and one ahead of Real Madrid, who chalked up a second defeat of the campaign, but Mourinho started with Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield over Bernardo Silva, opting for defensive clout over creativity. There was more tension than footballing quality in the first half, with neither side capable of creating any clear chances.