Real Madrid beats Atlético in the first leg of the Champions League on a night of great goals
Rodrygo and Brahim score in Real’s 2-1 first-leg win in the round of 16; Atlético Madrid score with Julián Álvarez
REAL VICTORY!
The first 90 minutes of Real Madrid vs Atlético are over! In the first leg, Real Madrid won the derby 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on a night marked by great goals. Rodrygo and Brahim scored for the home team, while Julian Álvarez scored for Atlético.
ONLY GOALS COUNT?
Real Madrid started the game with a high tempo: after just three minutes, Valverde made a beautiful pass to Rodrygo, who cut inside and scored a great goal. In the lead, Real imposed the tempo at the beginning of the game and denied Atlético any chances.
Nervous after Real’s 1-0 lead, Atlético went after the result and showed that they were not defeated. With good chances, they were stopped by Valverde, a standout in Real Madrid’s defense, midfield and attack. The equalizer came in the 31st minute: Julián Álvarez picked up the ball on the left and hit a cross into the top corner. 1-1 at half-time.
Unlike the first half, Atlético started much better in the second half. On the attack and with good chances, Simeone’s team was stopped by Real’s defense. Nine minutes into the second half, Brahim Díaz appeared to score Real Madrid’s second. He cleared the defense and left Giménez lying on the ground.
After the 2-1 scoreline, Simeone changed the Atlético team a lot, which didn’t show any of the football it had shown up until then. Real controlled the game until the final whistle and managed the advantage.
RETURN GAME
After the 2-1 draw, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid will face each other again on Wednesday, March 12, at the Metropolitano de Madrid. Whoever advances will face Arsenal or PSV in the quarter-finals.
BRAZILIANS IN THE GAME
Rodrygo was the Brazilian who shone the most in Tuesday’s match. With a great goal, the number 11 opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the game. Vini Jr. did not have the same prominence as in recent matches, but he came close to scoring at the end. Endrick entered the field at 43′ of the second half.
Samuel Lino, the only Brazilian at Atlético, also had a discreet performance.
