Vinicius keeps LaLiga race alive

Derbies exist in a category of their own. They often unfold on emotion rather than standings. This one was won by the team that needed it most, Real Madrid, after a superb night of soccer in a game that swung from end to end, with Atlético Madrid playing as if the title were on the line. They owed that much to their fans.

The match had everything: intensity, momentum shifts, spectacular goals and controversy in both boxes and beyond. At times it was a majestic derby, one that keeps the LaLiga title race alive. Madrid keeps chasing.

Recent Champions League performances had already cleared doubts around the team. Thiago Pitarch had built enough momentum to make it difficult to leave him out, especially with Jude Bellingham only just back from a long injury layoff. The missing piece, a midfielder capable of organizing and sacrificing, was already in-house.

The changes came elsewhere: a forced switch involving goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and a decision between Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, two players still battling for the same role. The Englishman arrived late to training this week, a detail that seems to explain the choice. Looking to disrupt as little as possible, coach Álvaro Arbeloa left Carreras on the bench, along with Kylian Mbappé and his 38 goals. That second wave had already been used, without needing it, in Manchester.

For Atlético, this was a matter of pride, the deeply rooted obligation to spoil their rival’s season and deny them the title. Diego Simeone rolled out his strongest lineup, largely the same group that got the job done in London, with just one change: Koke in for Nahuel Molina, pushing Marcos Llorente back to right back. His physicality has long been one of the most effective ways to contain Vinicius. With Koke, Simeone also aimed to restore order in midfield.

Valverde rattles the post

Among the areas that have improved most at Madrid under Arbeloa, Vinicius and Federico Valverde sit at the top. The Brazilian ignited the game early and immediately became its central problem.

He created Madrid’s first big chance, which ended in a Carvajal shot saved by Juan Musso, but also forgot that Llorente can attack in both directions. The Atlético man was played through by Antoine Griezmann and forced a point-blank save from Lunin, who produced a brilliant stop. Carvajal then brought Griezmann down after the shot. Referee José María Sánchez Martínez waved it off, though it came close to a penalty decision.

In between, Valverde produced a stunning 30-yard self-pass to beat Dávid Hancko before firing a shot against the post. It was a thrilling, evenly matched start. Atlético has shed its reputation as a purely defensive side, while Madrid is increasingly willing to trust its academy players. Two encouraging developments.

After a frantic opening, the tempo dropped. Atlético sat deeper to avoid being exposed on the counter, while Madrid found fewer spaces to exploit. Still, it nearly found a second goal from a corner. The ball bounced around in the box and Vinicius had two close-range attempts, both denied by Giuliano Simeone, who acted as Musso’s last line of defense.

Atlético struck first, however, with a well-worked team move. Ademola Lookman, a standout signing, switched play to Matteo Ruggeri, who delivered a low cross. Giuliano flicked it on with his heel, clearing the path for Lookman, who finished emphatically past Lunin. Madrid’s center backs, who had shut down Erling Haaland in the Champions League, opened a corridor this time.

Madrid’s defensive transitions remained a weakness, while Atlético’s vulnerability lay on Ruggeri’s side, where he struggled badly against Valverde. With Arbeloa opting to play without a traditional striker, goals could come from anywhere. Before halftime, Aurélien Tchouaméni nearly equalized with a header that skimmed the post. A late Madrid barrage followed, but their attackers were just a step late to every rebound.

A rollercoaster finish to the Madrid derby

The breakthrough came early in the second half, from the penalty spot after Brahim Díaz forced the issue. He feinted past Hancko, who clipped him inside the box. The defender protested the least. Vinicius stepped up and made no mistake, leveling the score and reigniting Madrid, helped in part by José María Giménez, who struggled after replacing Robin Le Normand.

Moments later, Ruggeri put Giménez under pressure with a poor pass. The Uruguayan miscontrolled, and Valverde, seemingly everywhere, pounced, stealing the ball and finishing with the outside of his foot to make it 2-1.

The game flipped again, and Simeone responded with three changes. The most significant were the introductions of Alexander Sørloth, to strengthen the aerial game, and Nahuel Molina, which allowed Llorente to move into midfield. Containing Vinicius was no longer the top priority.

The adjustment paid off immediately. Molina, as he had done against Getafe, unleashed a thunderous strike from 20 yards that flew into the top corner past Lunin. One of the goals of the season.

By then, Mbappé was on the field and Thiago had been withdrawn. Madrid had lost control of the game and its lead, but with the match swinging wildly, Vinicius stepped up again. Cutting inside along the edge of the box, he curled a shot beyond Musso’s reach to restore Madrid’s lead and ultimately secure the win.

The final twist came with Valverde’s red card for a challenge on Álex Baena, another highly debatable decision in a game full of them. With a man advantage, Julián Álvarez struck the post late on, giving Atlético one last chance in a title race that remains very much alive.

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